Fernando Torres apologises after red card during Atletico Madrid defeat to Barcelona

Torres was sent off after two yellow cards in the first 35 minutes

(Getty)

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has apologised for his red card at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night, calling it one of his "worst days" as a footballer, but later complained that Barcelona get better treatment from referees.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker opened the scoring against Barcelona to hand Diego Simeone's side a massive advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie, but turned villain within 10 minutes of making it 1-0.

Torres, 32, was booked twice in a six minute spell to hand the advantage back to the home side, who went on to win 2-1 thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez.

Atletico were incensed with the sending off as well as the officials' inaction after Suarez twice went unpunished, for a first-half kick aimed at Juanfran and a slap in the face of former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis in the second half.

"I take responsibility for our defeat but now more than ever let’s go to the Calderon for a comeback," Torres said on his social media channels. "On the personal side I am very sad and feel very responsible. With 11 it would have been different. It’s a complicated situation for me. It’s one of my worst days as a footballer.

"They were two plays which could be a card or not. What’s a shame is that Uefa are more worried about the colours of the shirts and not choosing a referee of the right level."

Fernando Torres had opened the scoring at the Nou Camp (Getty)

Later speaking on Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Torres continued his complaint against the referees and Uefa deciding that both teams needed to play in their away kit to avoid a clash.

"They shouldn't have been cards. If it had been the other way around then they wouldn't have been given," he said. "With 11 (men) we would have won without any doubt.

"Uefa worry about making us change shirts, but they didn't appoint a referee that is up to the level of the Champions League quarter-finals."

Luis also aimed a shot at referee Felix Brych and his team of officials.

"They protect Barca," said Luis. "There is a worry that they’re going to get knocked out. I don’t know what [a Barcelona player] has to do to get sent off."

Luis also argued that Torres should not have been sent off, although that appeared to be the correct decision.

"It was a totally unfair red card, his second foul and his second yellow," he added. "We knew that was going to happen, Barcelona in the Champions League. We have to play against everybody and everything.

"The manager said we needed an epic game to win. Now it will be difficult but we are still alive."

Simeone later said: "I can’t say what I want … I need to think about what I’m saying so I don’t say anything I shouldn’t.

"Beyond the inequality there was in the match, we leave with a situation that allows us to have hope.

"I am very happy with my team. Once again, we started winning, we were doing very well."