The club’s frustration is directed at referee Istvan Kovacs and the VAR crew for failing to penalize a sequence where goalkeeper Musso took a goal kick with his feet to Pubill, who then stopped the ball with his hand to restart the play himself.

Barcelona contend that because Kovacs had already blown his whistle to restart play, Musso’s pass put the ball in play. Therefore, Pubill’s handling of the ball should have resulted in a penalty for the home side and a second yellow card for the defender. While the complaint is unlikely to change the match result, it could lead to sanctions for the officiating crew.

Barcelona’s official statement

One day after the controversy, Barcelona announced via their official website that legal services had submitted a formal grievance to UEFA. The statement focused specifically on the incident between Musso and Pubill, claiming the officials failed to adhere to the Laws of the Game.

“FC Barcelona inform that the Club legal services have submitted a complaint to UEFA today regarding the events in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Atletico Madrid. The Club considers that the refereeing did not adhere to the current law, directly influencing how the game progressed and the result,” the club stated.

“…Accordingly, the Club has requested an investigation be opened, access to refereeing communications, and where applicable, official acknowledgment of the errors and the adoption of the relevant measures…” Barcelona wrote.

Hansi Flick slams referee and VAR performance

Following the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was categorical in his criticism of Kovacs and the VAR room regarding the disputed play. The German manager compared his defender’s dismissal to what he believed should have been a red card for Pubill.

“We all make mistakes, but I don’t know… Cubarsi is sent off for a touch that doesn’t seem like enough for a red card, yet their keeper passes it to the center-back who touches it with his hand and VAR doesn’t intervene. What is the point of having VAR then?” Flick said visibly frustated by the referee’s decision.

The sequence began when Alvarez linked up with compatriot Giuliano Simeone, drawing a desperate foul that fundamentally altered the match. The referee wasted no time issuing a straight red card to Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, and Alvarez made them pay immediately, clinical execution on the ensuing set piece to punish the 10-man Catalan side.

The goal marks Alvarez’s 17th across all competitions this season, a vital contribution for a player who has found himself under the microscope recently. After battling a dip in form and mounting scrutiny from the Madrid faithful, the Argentine “Spider” used one swing of his boot to silence the critics and remind the league of his world-class quality.

Alvarez continues Champions League tear

With his latest strike, Alvarez has now tallied eight goals in this year’s competition, cementing his status as Atletico Madrid’s premier European threat. After a clinical hat trick in the Round of 16 against Tottenham, the Argentine international has found the net again, providing Atleti with a crucial advantage on the scoreboard.

Alvarez has now matched his Champions League output with his La Liga total. While his domestic form has been characterized as less “decisive” by some critics, he appears to be playing with a renewed sense of confidence on the continent, a shift in mentality that has the Metropolitano faithful dreaming of a deep run.

Alvarez’s dominance against Barcelona

The Argentine has proven to be a persistent thorn in the side of Barcelona, racking up four goals against the Catalan giants since arriving in Madrid.

His history against Barca began last season with a goal in a 4-2 defeat at the Metropolitano. However, he truly made his mark by netting a vital brace to eliminate Barcelona from the Copa del Rey.

The midfielder was part of a small group of players who did not train this week under the orders of Hanski Flick. Raphinha, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen will be other absences.

The visitors, meanwhile, will also have absences. Pablo Barrios suffered a muscle injury, as did Jan Oblak, and they will not take part. Veteran defender Jose Maria Gimenez is also injured and will miss the first match of this tie.

Barcelona’s widespread dominance

Historically, FC Barcelona have dominated the rivalry against Atletico Madrid, securing 115 victories compared to the Colchoneros’ 78 wins, with 57 draws across all competitions. The most recent meeting between these two teams in a competition was the dramatic Copa del Rey tie, where Simeone’s side ended up winning the series 4–3.

On April 4, in a new LaLiga matchday, Barcelona defeated Atletico 2–1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski, and Giuliano Simeone were the goalscorers.

Hansi Flick’s starting XI

With the notable absence of Frenkie de Jong in midfield, these were the players selected by Flick for the first leg of the 2026 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals:

Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford; Robert Lewandowski.

With his absence at Spotify Camp Nou, Oblak will miss his fifth straight game for Atletico Madrid. Moreover, it will be the third time he misses a game in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League. To date, this is Atleti’s biggest game of the season, as “Los Colchoneros” vie to come away with a positive result before returning to Madrid for the second leg of this quarterfinal matchup with Barcelona.

Oblak’s absence could be one of the biggest difference-makers in a tight matchup between the two Spanish sides. Barca and Atleti met over the past weekend in Matchweek 30 of La Liga, and it was the former who prevailed by a score of 2-1. However, that result is now worthless as the two sides meet in Europe’s biggest soccer club competition.

Barcelona have their fair share of adversity, too. Raphinha will miss the first leg matchup against Atletico Madrid, as well as Frenkie De Jong who is out for the game, too.

How has Atletico Madrid fared without Oblak?

Since Oblak sustained a muscle injury during a training session on March 13, Diego Simeone’s side has won just one of its last four outings. That was a 1-0 victory over Getafe. Since, Atletico Madrid lost 3-2 to Tottenham in the UCL (won 7-5 on aggregate), and suffered back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid and Barcelona, 3-2 and 2-1, respectively.

Needless to say, their fixture hasn’t been a walk in the park, but Atletico Madrid haven’t managed to come away with wins when they needed it the most. That must change as they visit the Comital City and take on a strong candidate to win the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.

Who will replace Oblak in goal?

As it’s been the case since Oblak went down with a muscle injury, Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Musso will stand between the three posts for Atletico Madrid. So far, Musso has appeared in two games in the 2025-26 UCL, allowing four goals, and recording no clean sheets. Perhaps, his third start is the charm.

Simeone’s team will have four Argentinians in its starting XI: with the likes of Musso, Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone, and Julian Alvarez. Moreover, fellow countrymen Nicolas Gonzalez and Thiago Almada will await for their turn on the substitues’ bench.

After starting the match with high intensity, Barcelona was the clear dominant force in the first half and looked poised to find the opening goal. However, just minutes before halftime, a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Giuliano Simeone left the hosts with ten men, and Julian Alvarez took full advantage, curling in a fantastic free-kick goal to send his side into the break with the lead.

In the second half, Barcelona showed great character despite the man disadvantage and constantly pushed for an equalizer. However, as they left more space in defense, Atletico capitalized on the numerical superiority, with Alexander Sorloth netting the second goal.

Now, Barcelona will have a mountain to climb in the return leg on Tuesday, April 14, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where they must win by at least a two-goal margin to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

The Brazilian winger picked up the issue while representing Brazil and has been ruled out for several weeks, forcing Hansi Flick‘s team to adjust its attacking setup against Diego Simeone‘s side.

His absence is particularly significant given his production this season, where he has been directly involved in dozens of goals and has been one of the most decisive players in high-stakes fixtures. Besides, a win, tie or loss could have huge implications for Barcelona in this series against Atletico Madrid.

How did Raphinha get injured?

Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Brazil during a friendly against France. He felt discomfort in his right hamstring and was forced to leave the match at halftime, with medical tests later confirming the muscle injury.

The incident took place in a high-intensity international fixture, a scenario that has increasingly raised concerns among clubs due to the physical demands placed on players outside the club calendar.

How long is Raphinha’s recovery timeline?

Raphinha is expected to be out for approximately five weeks due to his hamstring injury. The timeline was confirmed by Barcelona following medical evaluations after the international break.

This recovery period means he will miss a significant portion of April. Reports indicate that the injury sidelines him for key fixtures such as the Champions League quarter-final ties and important domestic games.

When will Raphinha return to play?

Raphinha is targeting a return in early to mid-May, depending on how his recovery progresses. Initial estimates suggest he could be back around five weeks after the injury, potentially in time for late-season matches.

There is optimism inside Barcelona that he could return for crucial fixtures toward the end of the campaign, including high-profile games that may define both their domestic and European ambitions.

How has Raphinha been performing this season?

Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s most impactful attacking players this season, combining consistent goal production with strong all-around offensive metrics.

He has recorded double-digit goals and multiple assists in La Liga, including around 11 goals and 3 assists in league play alone, while also contributing in the UEFA Champions League with three goals and two assists in seven appearances.

Beyond raw numbers, his influence goes deeper. He averages a high volume of shots and progressive actions, regularly creating chances through dribbling and key passes.

Statistically, he generates nearly 3 key passes per game and maintains a passing accuracy above 80%, placing him among the most productive wide players in Spain this season.

Hansi Flick‘s team arrives with a possession-based approach built on control and positional play, while Diego Simeone‘s side typically leans on defensive structure, compact lines, and rapid transitions.

The match will be played at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona and is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT) in the United States. Follow our liveblog of Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid and don’t miss a single thing!

What happens if Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid today?

If Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid today, they take a key first-leg advantage in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, but the tie remains open. The result would give them an aggregate lead heading into the second leg.

In the current UEFA Champions League format, knockout rounds are decided over two legs by total aggregate score, meaning a win—no matter the margin—puts Barcelona in control but does not guarantee qualification.

The absence of the away goals rule means the only thing that matters is the total score across both matches. A first-leg victory would allow Barcelona to approach the return match with more flexibility. However, they face a challenge as Raphinha is not playing against Atletico today in the first leg.

What happens if Barcelona and Atletico Madrid tie today?

If Barcelona and Atletico Madrid draw today, the tie remains completely level heading into the second leg. Neither team gains an advantage, and everything will be decided in the return fixture.

Because UEFA eliminated the away goals rule, a draw does not benefit either side structurally. The second leg effectively becomes a winner-takes-all scenario, where the aggregate score across both matches determines who advances.

What happens if Barcelona lose to Atletico Madrid today?

If Barcelona lose to Atletico Madrid today, they fall behind on aggregate and will need a comeback in the second leg to stay alive in the Champions League. The defeat would give Madrid the early edge in the tie.

Even so, the two-leg structure ensures Barça would still have a full opportunity to recover in the return match. They would need to win by enough goals in Madrid to overturn the deficit and either take the lead on aggregate or force extra time.

[Watch Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid online in the US on DAZN]

It’s a marquee UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash as familiar rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid meet again after multiple encounters this season, including Barcelona’s recent La Liga win.

The Blaugrana aim to build on that momentum, but Atletico carry confidence of their own after eliminating Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals earlier this season, adding extra edge to a matchup with a semifinal spot at stake.

When will the Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid match be played?

Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid this Wednesday, April 8, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The game is set to kick off at 3:00 PM (ET).

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid in the USA

Get ready for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Catch all the action live on DAZN. Other options: Paramount+ and ViX.

The Slovenian goalkeeper has been dealing with a muscle strain in his side, which also forced him to miss previous matches, and he has not fully recovered in time for this crucial soccer clash.

The setback comes at a difficult moment for Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone already forced to rotate his squad during a demanding stretch of the season. Without their long-time No. 1, the club must adjust their defensive approach.

How and when did Jan Oblak get injured?

Jan Oblak is currently sidelined for Atletico Madrid after suffering a muscle injury in his side during March 2026, which forced him to miss multiple matches including LaLiga fixtures against Getafe and Real Madrid.

According to reports from the club’s latest updates, he has been dealing with a muscular strain that required rest and a controlled recovery process. During his absence, Juan Musso has taken over as the starting goalkeeper for Diego Simeone’s side.

When could Jan Oblak return from injury?

Jan Oblak is expected to return soon for Atletico Madrid, as he has already rejoined group training and is close to full fitness, but he is not expected to feature in the immediate clash against Barcelona. His recovery has progressed well after several weeks out.

Recent reports indicate that Diego Simeone is managing his return carefully, with the goalkeeper likely to be available shortly after the Barcelona match depending on his final training sessions. The club expects him to be fully reintegrated into competition in the very near future if no setbacks occur.

How important is Jan Oblak for Atletico Madrid this season?

Jan Oblak remains a key player for Atlético Madrid in the 2025-26 season, starting as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper and playing a central role in Diego Simeone’s defensive system.

The Slovenian has already made 26 LaLiga appearances this season, recording 10 clean sheets and 58 saves, while conceding 24 goals, underlining his continued importance between the posts.

The goalkeeper’s consistency has once again placed him among the top-performing shot-stoppers in Spain, with a save percentage close to 70% and more than 2,300 minutes played in the league campaign so far.

Despite a slight decline compared to his peak years, he still ranks among the most reliable keepers in LaLiga in terms of clean sheets and defensive stability. Beyond the numbers, his value to the club goes far deeper than statistics.

Since his joining in 2014, he has accumulated over 500 appearances and become one of the longest-serving and most influential players in the squad’s modern era, recently reaching historic milestones such as over 100 Champions League appearances and multiple Zamora awards for best goalkeeper in Spain.

According to club updates, the recovery timeline is around five weeks, which rules him out not only for this match but also for a key stretch of the season that includes multiple high-intensity fixtures in LaLiga and European competition.

The absence is a major blow for Hansi Flick, who has relied heavily on the left winger’s pace and creativity in wide areas throughout the campaign. His output in big Barcelona games has been decisive this season.

How and when did Raphinha get injured?

Raphinha suffered a right hamstring injury during an international friendly between Brazil and France on March 26, forcing him to leave the pitch at halftime. The injury was later confirmed by both the Brazilian Football Federation and Barcelona medical staff after scans showed muscle damage in his right thigh.

The incident occurred during the March international break, a period in which the winger had been called up for Brazil while enjoying one of his most productive stretches of the season.

However, after feeling discomfort during the match in Boston, he was withdrawn as a precaution, with tests immediately revealing a more serious hamstring issue than initially expected.

Medical reports confirmed that the injury required an estimated recovery period of around five weeks, ruling him out of several key domestic and European fixtures, including crucial clashes in both LaLiga and the Champions League.

Which match could Raphinha return for?

Raphinha is expected to return around early May 2026, with Barcelona’s LaLiga match against Osasuna currently seen as the most likely comeback target. Based on the estimated five-week recovery timeline, his return could come just before the decisive final stretch of the season.

If his rehabilitation progresses without setbacks, the Brazilian winger could also be available for one of the most important fixtures of the season: the potential El Clásico against Real Madrid later in May.

Barcelona’s medical staff are treating his case cautiously, focusing on full recovery rather than rushing his return, especially given the congested schedule that awaits in the final weeks of the campaign.

How was Raphinha performing this season?

Raphinha was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career with FC Barcelona, registering 19 goals across all competitions and establishing himself as one of the team’s most decisive attacking players.

He had become a key figure in the attacking system, contributing not only goals but also assists and high-intensity pressing from the right flank. His ability to stretch defenses and deliver in big matches made him one of the standout performers.

His absence is therefore considered a major blow for Barcelona at a crucial point in the season, especially with tight title race margins and high-stakes knockout fixtures still ahead. Without him, the team will need to rely on depth options to maintain attacking balance and creativity in wide areas.

The match began as a fierce, end-to-end battle, with Barcelona looking the more likely to break the deadlock. However, it was Atletico Madrid who struck first in the 38th minute through a clinical finish by Giuliano Simeone, momentarily sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The celebrations were short-lived, as Marcus Rashford found the equalizer just three minutes later, restoring parity at 1-1. The complexion of the match shifted drastically moments before the interval when Nico Gonzalez received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the hosts to play the entire second half with 10 men.

Armed with the numerical advantage, Barcelona emerged for the second half determined to find a winner. After dominating possession and relentless attacking throughout the final 45 minutes, they finally found their reward. In the dying moments of the match, Lewandowski capitalized on a fortunate bounce to poke home the winner, securing three points that are worth their weight in gold in the final stretch of the championship.