Javier Mascherano believes that Barcelona should have performed well at the Camp Nou against Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan club were knocked out of the Champions League after a 3-2 defeat on aggregate. Even though Atletico were on top in the first half of the first leg, Barcelona came back strongly in the second half although they were helped by the red card to striker Fernando Torres. Barcelona scored two goals to finish the game 2-1. This was seen as a strong result at home despite conceding the away goal. Yet, the latter proved to be the decisive aspect in the tie.
In front of the Atletico supporters at Vicente Calderon, Barcelona struggled to make any kind of an impact. They conceded a goal that increased the nervousness around the camp, as it meant that Atletico would be progressing on away goals. As Barcelona for the chase to the game, they allowed yet another goal by the opposition that proved to be the death kneel. After the game, Mascherano admitted that the tie was lost in the first leg. He feels that Barcelona should have gone and finished Atletico at the Camp Nou. As it is, yet another team has now failed to defend the Champions League since its inception in 1992.
"It’s a shame, but we have to congratulate Atlético Madrid and wish them all the best. Perhaps we should have scored more goals at the Camp Nou and come to the Calderón with a bigger lead. We controlled the ball but we were missing a bit of clarity up front. We are not going to feel sorry for ourselves. It’s happened and now we have to look ahead. We have to lift ourselves up, focus hard on the league and get ready for the cup final," said the Barcelona midfielder.