Hansi Flick He did not hide his anger after the defeat of the FC Barcelona 2-0 against him Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions Leagueand pointed directly to the arbitration for one of the most controversial plays of the night: a handball by Marc Pubill inside the area that was not sanctioned by either the referee or the VAR. The action unleashed a wave of protests on the Barça bench and revived the debate on the interpretation of the regulations in Europe.
The German coach was blunt after the game and assured that the action “could have completely changed the game,” especially since his team was already playing with the pressure of having lost Pau Cubarsí, sent off just before half-time. For Flick, the referee’s decision marked a before and after on a night in which Barça ended up beaten both on the scoreboard and emotionally.
The play that angered Flick and Barcelona
The controversy occurred in the 55th minute, when Atlético’s goalkeeper, Juan Musso, put the ball into play inside the area on an apparent short kick. At that point, Marc Pubill grabbed the ball with his hand, apparently believing that the throw-in had not yet been taken, before returning it to the goalkeeper. The referee let the action continue and the VAR did not intervene, which caused an immediate reaction from the Barcelona coaching staff and players.
The image quickly spread across social networks and international media, since for a large part of the Barça environment it was an action punishable with a penalty and a possible second yellow card, which would have also left Atlético with ten players. The feeling in Barcelona was one of absolute disbelief.
Hansi Flick’s strong reaction: “I don’t understand why we have VAR”
At a press conference, Flick left one of his harshest statements since he led the Barça team. The German coach openly questioned the referee’s criteria and the passivity of the video referee in a play that he considered very clear.
“I can’t believe it. The goalkeeper took the shot and the player stopped the ball with his hand. For me that’s a red card and a penalty,” claimed the Barça coach after the match. He also regretted that the VAR did act in the expulsion of Cubarsí, but not in the action of Pubill.
Flick even went further and released a phrase that sums up the club’s discomfort: “It’s not fair.” His position found echo among fans, analysts and part of the European press, who quickly compared the play with other similar precedents in the Champions League itself.
Was it a penalty? The comparison with Aston Villa vs Bruges in 2024
One of the points that gained the most strength after the match was the comparison with a very similar action that occurred in November 2024, during a Champions League duel between Aston Villa and Club Brugge. On that occasion, a practically identical play ended up being sanctioned with a penalty in favor of the Belgian team, which has further fueled the feeling of grievance in the culé environment.
This precedent has led many to question the consistency of refereeing in UEFA competitions. The discussion not only revolves around whether Pubill touched the ball with his hand, but also whether the ball was already effectively in play after Musso’s action, a regulatory nuance that now divides opinions.
The context aggravates the controversy: Barça played the entire second half with ten
Barcelona’s indignation is not explained solely by the isolated play. Flick’s team was already conditioned by the expulsion of Pau Cubarsí at the end of the first half, an action that was reviewed by the VAR and which left the Catalan team in numerical inferiority for the entire second half.
With one less, Barça tried to compete, but ended up losing due to goals from Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sorloth, a result that leaves Atlético with a significant advantage heading into the return leg. For Flick, the feeling was doubly bitter: defeat, disadvantage in the tie and a referee’s decision that he considers decisive.
Barcelona vs Atlético: a controversy that could mark the tie
Beyond the result, the media focus of the match is no longer only on Atlético de Madrid’s 2-0, but on a play that threatens to haunt the tie for several days. In Barcelona they consider that Pubill’s action could have completely changed the development of the match, both due to the possibility of a penalty and the eventual expulsion of the red and white defender.
Now, Barça will have to look for a comeback in the second leg, but they will do so with the feeling of having been harmed on one of the hottest nights of the European season.
