Eric Garcia talks red card vs Atletico, refereeing, La Liga title, Real Madrid – ‘Difficult to understand’ | OneFootball

Barcelona seemed to be on track to score a late goal against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals last week, but it was simply not meant to be.

Just when it seemed like the Catalans were about to step on the accelerator, Eric Garcia was shown a red card for a minimal foul where he was not even the last man for all practical purposes.

The referee’s decision, however, was not surprising and gelled well with the overall theme of going against the Catalans, inflicting a setback that was impossible to return from.

Garcia reflects on CL exit, refereeing

The Barcelona defender faced the media at a recent public appearance where he sat down and explained his view on the refereeing against Atletico Madrid and his red card, which changed the game.

“I think that in these competitions, you always have to be lucky. It is clear that things did not come out even in the slightest,” Garcia said, via Mundo Deportivo.

“I will not give all the responsibility to the referees, but there are strange decisions that are difficult to understand,” he added.

Speaking specifically on whether the arbitration against Barcelona was particularly harsh, the defender said,

“They are criteria. Normally, we get cross and other teams not so much. These are things that happen in football.”

Remembering the moments in the second leg when Barcelona were on top and seemingly set for a comeback, Garcia said,

“We had moments of the game with the 0-2 that we believed in. It was a hard blow. The image that the team gave was very good. Within the little experience we have, we are taking it and we have to start regularising this type of game.”

Garcia was shown a red card vs Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Looking forward to La Liga

Despite taking the harsh blow only recently, the La Masia graduate expressed optimism for the rest of the campaign and how La Liga was still theirs to lose.

“Now it’s time to focus on La Liga, it’s well on track, but the sooner we close it, the better. It is the prize for consistency. We are doing things very well.”

“That Atletico eliminated us is messed up, it already happened to us in the Copa del Rey. It hurts us because of the form, but it doesn’t take away merit from the year we’ve been doing,” he added.

He then addressed the topic of Real Madrid potentially giving them a guard of honour if they win the league before El Clasico.

“If they give us the guard of honour, it is because we have already won it. Since I said I want to win it as soon as possible, I already answered the question,” he said cheekily.

Reacting to reports that Real Madrid are unwilling to do so, Garcia explained how Barcelona would react had the situation been reversed.

“When the rival beats you, you have to have a minimum of respect. If it were up to us, we would do it, whatever rival we were.”

Finally, the player was asked about his position in the Spanish national team for the FIFA World Cup, especially given how he was out of the squad for the recent hiatus.

“We all know that there is a World Cup, and I would like to be there. I try to do my part, which is what I can control: play to the maximum in every game. If the coach considers it, I’m delighted.”