Campe-off: Spanish papers show no mercy after Barcelona's Champions League exit

Spain's newspapers aren't going easy on Barcelona in the aftermath of the Blaugrana's failure to defend their European crown.

On Thursday, after Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League in the competition's quarter-finals by virtue of a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid, the Spanish media didn't hesitate to rip into the Catalan club, criticising its style of play, dependency on Lionel Messi, and dearth of ambition, among other things.

Here's what Spain's newspapers said:

Marca

Marca published a jubilant photograph of Atleti on its front page, which should come as no surprise given that the Spanish daily in based in Madrid.

However, away from the front page, Didac Piferrer took aim at Barcelona, writing: "Barcelona's renowned style of play over the year which put them at the Olympus of football failed against Atletico Madrid. Atletico dismantled the style of Barcelona's play and the statistics are alarming, as Los Rojiblancos registering just 28 percent of possession with Barcelona enjoying 72 percent."

AS

AS, also based in Madrid, took the festivities one step further, publishing an image of Antoine Griezmann marking his first goal in the second leg alongside the caption "In love with Atleti ... !"

As for criticising Barcelona, Juan Jimenez wrote: "Messi's influence on the team's destiny is as absolute as an observer wishes to interpret: either he takes advantage of the kind winds blowing in Barcelona's favour to shine, or he disappears when the side is not playing well. Or, as could also be assumed for a player who has won the Ballon d'Or fives times, an off-key performance from the Argentina captain has a devastating effect on the rest of his teammates."

Mundo Deportivo

(Courtesy: Mundo Deportivo)

Mundo Deportivo, which operates out of Barcelona, offered a level-headed response to the Blaugrana's Champions League exit, proving it's capable of not lambasting its neighbour.

In addition to a front page that featured a play on words in "Campe-off," the Catalan publication wrote, according to the Guardian: "A Barcelona without recourse have tumbled out of the Champions League. They did nothing in those final minutes to show they were aspiring to win another treble. Not a good night for Barca fans' hearts, as their team were on the brink and fighting an uphill battle for most of the game."

Sport

(Courtesy: Sport)

Sport, another Catalan daily, offered solidarity to Barcelona. While its front page read "Lost" in big letters, the smaller print called out the second leg's referee, likely referencing the penalty kick that wasn't awarded in second-half stoppage time when Gabi blocked a shot inside Atleti's penalty area using his right arm.

There was even more sympathy for Barcelona and criticism of referee Nicola Rizzoli away from the front page, as Sport wrote: "It should not be this way. When everything looked to have been decided, then came the scandal. Rizzoli did not award a penalty for what looked like a clear handball from Gabi."