RIO FERDINAND HAS criticised Fernando Torres after the Atletico Madrid striker was sent off during his side’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Barcelona.
The striker scored the opener to stun the hosts at Camp Nou but was given his marching orders after just 35 minutes after picking up a second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Sergio Busquets.
Barcelona went on to win the game against the 10-men of Atletico, with Luis Suarez scoring twice in the second half, and Ferdinand had no sympathy for Torres after the game.
Tonight he was a disgrace really. He’ll be embarrassed, he’s let them down,” he told BT Sport.
“He’s on a yellow already, why give the referee the opportunity to even think about giving him the yellow card? As a manager you destroy him in the changing room after.”
Michael Owen was also critical of the former Liverpool man and felt that his sending off had cost his side dearly against Luis Enrique’s men.
It’s fascinatingly poised. This result wouldn’t have been like it was if Torres hadn’t have been sent off, I’m sure of that,” he added.
“He’s cost his team big time tonight. He made a couple of shocking decisions. Both yellow cards, Barcelona players going nowhere. He’s let everybody down.”
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