By Our Correspondent

National News – Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised FC Barcelona following their elimination from the UEFA Champions League, insisting the Spanish side were not “robbed” but undone by their own inefficiency.

Speaking after the quarter-final clash on Tuesday, Mikel said Barcelona failed to convert dominance into goals, allowing Atlético Madrid to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

Barcelona secured a 2-1 win in the second leg but were knocked out due to Atlético’s 2-0 victory in the first leg.

Despite dominating possession in the return fixture, the Catalan side could not capitalise on their chances.

Mikel questioned their approach, stating that having control of the game without clinical finishing ultimately cost them a place in the semi-finals.

The former midfielder also addressed post-match complaints from Barcelona players and fans regarding refereeing decisions.

According to him, blaming officiating masked deeper tactical and mental issues within the team.

He stressed that elite competitions demand decisive moments, which Barcelona failed to deliver across both legs.

Meanwhile, Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman emerged as a key figure for Atlético Madrid, scoring a crucial goal that helped secure qualification.

Mikel praised Atlético’s resilience and ability to seize opportunities, contrasting it with Barcelona’s lack of “killer instinct” in front of goal.

He further criticised Barcelona’s mentality during critical phases of the match, noting that the team struggled to respond under pressure.

Instead of regrouping, he said, players focused on disputing refereeing calls, which distracted from their performance on the pitch.

Atlético Madrid have now advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face Arsenal FC as they continue their pursuit of a first Champions League title.

The outcome reinforces concerns about Barcelona’s recurring struggles in Europe, particularly their inability to convert dominance into tangible results.