Atletico's Mario Suarez: Referee in Real Madrid match was 'very bad'

Mario Suarez is not pleased with Milorad Mazic.

The Serbian official oversaw Tuesday's fiery Champions League clash between Madrid rivals Atletico and Real at the Vicente Calderon, and after the match, the Atleti midfielder questioned why Mazic was put in charge of such a high-pressure contest that was always going to see some fireworks.

"The referee is very bad, it is not right for a Serbian to do this type of game, Champions League quarterfinals. It is not serious," Suarez said, referring to his yellow card that will see him suspended for the second leg of the tie next week. 

"I hope the return game it is better, with more normal decisions. The referee was not at the level of the game, they make mistakes, and we do too. It was an even game, we know each other very well, and it is open."

Mazic, who had taken charge of 18 Champions League matches prior to Tuesday's goalless draw, handed out five bookings on the day, but came under fire - along with his assistants - for missing the two most controversial moments of the contest. 

Neither the Serbian, nor his linesmen, saw Sergio Ramos' arm connect with Mario Mandzukic's face, leaving him bloodied, and they also failed to punish Dani Carvajal for punching - and perhaps biting - the Croatian striker in the second half.

Suarez, likely under the suggestion of his club, did attempt to backtrack on his comments later in the day, taking to Twitter to say the following:

"I apologise if anyone was offended by my comments after the game, that was not my intention," he wrote. "I wanted to state that a referee from one of the big leagues should be designated to games of this size. Nothing else, we all make mistakes. Now back to work."