ATLETICO MADRID almost conceded a penalty after a controversial gaffe against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Atletico picked up a massive 2-0 victory over Barca in Wednesday’s first leg of their quarter-final at the Nou Camp.
But the Catalan outfit were left incensed as they claimed they should have been awarded a spot-kick in the 55th minute.
Atleti led 1-0 after Julian Alvarez’s opener while the hosts were down to 10 men following Pau Cubarsi’s straight red card.
Atletico took on a goal-kick and controversy ensued as keeper Juan Musso passed the ball to team-mate Marc Pubill inside the box.
Pubill then caught the ball with his hand and placed it on the goal line before passing it back to Musso.
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Believing the ball was in play, Barcelona were infuriated and demanded a penalty as well as a red card for the centre-back, who was on a yellow.
Tensions rose after Atletico scored a second with Alexander Sorloth on 70 minutes to give the visitors a massive advantage ahead of next Tuesday’s return fixture at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
There is an argument to be made that common sense dictates there was no pressure and no advantage to be gained.
And there is a precedent as Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes did the same thing in the Champions League two years ago during a 2-2 draw in the quarter-finals.
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The Gunners were awarded a goal-kick and keeper David Raya passed the ball to Gabriel, who picked it up, placed it back down and switched it back to his team-mate.
But Barcelona boss Hansi Flick would have none of it as he insisted his team should have been awarded a pen.
Flick told CBS Sports: “I think they deserved the red card. The goalkeeper plays the ball, it’s clear play and he stops it with the hand.
“It’s a double yellow and it’s a red card and a penalty normally for me.”