Atletico's Mario angry at Madrid derby referee

Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez was angry at the performance of Serbian referee Milorad Mazic at the end of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Atletico and Real Madrid here.

Tuesday's game ended in a 0-0 draw, although Mario and Real Madrid defender Marcelo saw yellow cards, which will see them suspended for next week's return leg, reports Xinhua.

However, the most controversial moments of the game saw Atletico striker Mario Mandzukic having to leave for treatment after being caught by a flying elbow from Real defender Sergio Ramos.

The Croatian striker should also have won a penalty for his side after being punched in the stomach by Real defender Dani Carvajal in the visitors' penalty area while the ball was in play, although Mazic didn't see the incident and the game continued.

"The referee was very bad. I don't think you can put in a Serbian referee for this kind of game and I hope they put in a better referee for the return game. He was not god enough. It was an even game, we both had chances and neither took advantage of them," complained Mario.

Mario looked back to last season when Atletico qualified for the final of the competition after a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea. "We got the same result and we went through."

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas refused to be drawn into controversy, saying he thought the referee had "done well for both sides. He wasn't a protagonist in the game".

Casillas looked ahead to the return leg, saying it was "very open".

"A 0-0 draw means the return leg will be open and attractive. We hope that playing the return at home gives us the chance to go through," said the goalkeeper.