Soccer-Wounded Atletico seek quick recovery against Barca after penalty heartbreak

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - March 12, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez scores a penalty during the penalty shootout wich is later disallowed after a VAR review REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo

MADRID (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid will have to pick themselves up as they prepare to host Barcelona in a top-of-the-table LaLiga clash on Sunday after a heartbreaking and controversial shootout defeat to rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone was left fuming with the referee's decision to rule out Julian Alvarez's spot kick for a double touch, with Madrid going on to win the shootout 4-2 and book their spot in the quarter-finals.