Some Atletico Madrid fans took to Twitter on Wednesday evening after Diogo Jota escaped a red card. The Liverpool forward received a booking for a high foot.
Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead at Anfield, leaving Atletico Madrid reeling. Diego Simeone’s side did find their feet eventually but things ground to a halt.
Brazilian centre-back Felipe received a red card before half-time and we’ve got to say it was harsh. He performed a nasty trip on Sadio Mane but yellow would have sufficed. We can’t imagine many would have called for more.
That effectively killed the game. Atletico could no longer contend with Liverpool, who dominated the ball and created several second-half chances.
Even more frustrating for Atletico is that this is how the reverse fixture went, too. Just as they got back into the game at 2-2, Antoine Griezmann received a debatable red card for a high foot.
A red card that now looks even more debatable after Wednesday.
Diogo Jota, after all, escaped a similar red card as he received a yellow. The Liverpool forward attempted a scissor kick in the box, catching Kieran Trippier at head height.
If Griezmann’s was red, Atletico fans feel Jota should have walked, too.
Atletico fans on Diogo Jota escaping red
And there was one other notable Tweet – from Griezmann himself.
There are reports in Spain pointing out the similarities, too. AS for instance, don’t see a difference.
Again, it’s the same sentiment. If Griezmann walked, why didn’t Jota get a red?
We understand the frustration here but it’s actually fairly simple. Jota attempted a shot with his laces. Griezmann put his studs into Roberto Firmino’s head.
So while both were ‘high foot’ incidents, one was far, far more dangerous than the other. Trippier was never going off hurt with that, while Firmino actually escaped a nasty injury.
While again, there are similarities, it’s apples and oranges. Atletico fans are stretching with this one.