'When it is so clear, there is no need to talk' – Simeone stunned by Martin reprieve

Diego Simeone was exasperated by Gerard Martin escaping a red card during Barcelona's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid, saying: "When the play is so clear, there is no need to talk."

Despite having Nicolas Gonzalez sent off for a last-man foul on Lamine Yamal late in the first half, Atleti almost held out for a hard-earned point at the Estadio Metropolitano.

Giuliano Simeone had put Los Colchoneros ahead in the first half, only for Marcus Rashford to equalise for Barca within three minutes. 

The decisive goal was scored in the 87th minute by Robert Lewandowski, as Juan Musso pushed Joao Cancelo's shot against the striker's shoulder and in.

But even though Gonzalez's sending off was not in question, another decision enraged Simeone as Barca full-back Martin had a red card rescinded following a VAR review, despite replays showing he clearly followed through on a clearance and caught Thiago Almada's ankle with his upturned studs.

Speaking to DAZN about that incident after full-time, Simeone said: "Let's not talk about the action, what we say is not worth it. Let's not waste time.

"Everyone is going to say what they think, but when the play is so clear, there is no need to talk."

Simeone was more accepting of Gonzalez's dismissal, though he disagreed with it being upgraded from a second booking to a straight red card, saying: "As soon as he swept in, it was clear that it was at least a yellow card and a red card. 

"The play was clear, I don't think it was a straight red, but he was clearly going to be sent off. He was playing a good game, except for that play."

Later, Simeone was asked in his post-match press conference if referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer had "harmed" his side. 

"No, they have not harmed me," he said. "The officials made mistakes, just like coaches and players do. 

"In Real Betis versus Rayo Vallecano, the same play was a red card, where the player goes over the foot and steps on them. Did they see it or not? They clearly saw it."

Atleti have a swift chance for revenge as they travel to Camp Nou for the first leg of the teams' Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

Once that tie is concluded, the sides will have faced off six times this season, after Atleti emerged as 4-3 aggregate victors over Barca in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

But Simeone held up the second leg of that tie, which started with Atleti leading 4-0, as a cautionary tale for his players. 

"We have to be strong and play better than in the second leg of the Copa, where they didn't let us think, attack or generate chances," Simeone warned. 

"We need to give more of ourselves because we are going to find ourselves in a Champions League quarter-final tie."