Atlético Demands Red Card for Gerard Martín After Denying Giuliano a Clear Goal Chance

The match between Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid sparked controversy in the final moments of the first half. Atlético Madrid players demanded a red card for Barcelona defender Gerard Martín after an incident involving Giuliano during a counterattack.

Atlético’s defender Nahuel Molina explained that Giuliano was making a direct run into the box and was likely to face the goalkeeper one-on-one. He argued that Martín, as the last man, impeded Giuliano’s progress unfairly, which should have led to a dismissal.

Video review by the VAR did not alter the referee De Burgos Bengoetxea’s decision, who only issued a yellow card to Gerard Martín. Giuliano appeared hurt on the pitch for several seconds following the challenge. The VAR referee González Fuertes chose not to intervene despite the claims from Atlético.

Giuliano was slightly angled inward during the run but was clearly positioned to challenge Joan García, Barcelona’s goalkeeper. Atlético feels the defensive foul denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

The incident has reignited debate about the consistency of refereeing in La Liga, with some experts backing Atlético’s claim for a harsher punishment. The key factors Atlético highlights are:
1. Giuliano’s clear path towards goal.
2. Martín’s role as the last defender.
3. Advantage denied to Atlético due to the foul.

Despite the controversy, the match remained tight and showed a strong display from both teams. The referee’s leniency towards Gerard Martín has become a talking point in the post-match analysis.

Atlético Madrid insists that such fouls should be met with straight red cards to preserve the integrity and competitiveness of the game. The team expects La Liga officials to review the incident and consider reinforcing rules regarding last-man tackles.

This episode underscores the challenges referees face with split-second decisions in high-stakes matches. Fans and analysts alike await potential clarifications or disciplinary actions related to the event seen during the intense Barcelona-Atlético fixture.