Three takeaways from Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona | UEFA Champions League

For a long time in the game, the comeback seemed to be on with the Catalans scoring two goals in the opening half-hour. Atletico Madrid then scored a goal against the run of play, and Barcelona never really came close to overturning that newly created deficit. Hansi Flick made desperate substitutions in the second half, both of which made the game situation more complicated and less convincing for them.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona. Key to their own downfall Barcelona have no one but themselves to blame for the defeat in the Champions League last night, and not for the first time. Knowing full well how an untimely red card destroyed their chances in the first leg, it is simply foolish of the team to fall into the same situation once more, regardless of how it happened.

At an opportune moment in the game when they were just about to begin pushing for the equaliser on aggregate, Eric Garcia was shown red and sent off, reducing Barcelona to ten men once more. Given the game situation, the need to push for an equaliser, and the recent experience of playing a man down against the same opposition, Barcelona had simply no business getting themselves in a similar situation once more. Had they had the extra man and played on a level field, scoring the equaliser on aggregate in the closing minutes would have been far more realistic than it turned out.

The mood of regret in the dressing room will last for weeks at least, but it is clear that Barcelona in Europe has no one to blame but themselves. Luck is indeed a factor Refereeing once again under scrutiny. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) As true as it is that Barcelona is responsible for their own downfall, there is no doubt that luck did not side with them anywhere over the two legs against Atletico Madrid.