Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas felt that Atletico Madrid counterpart Jan Oblak was the most influential figure in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon - and not referee Milorad Mazic.
The home side were less than impressed with Mazic's handling of the all-Spanish Champions League quarter-final first leg, with a bloodied Mario Mandzukic accusing Sergio Ramos of deliberating elbowing him in the face early in the second half.
Mario Suarez claimed afterwards that the Serbian official should not have been awarded such a high-profile game but Casillas that Oblak had a bigger impact on the game, with the Atleti goalkeeper having made a number of terrific saves during the opening 45 minutes.
"Mario said that the referee was really bad? I don't know. I think he was good. I don't think he was the main protagonist," the Madrid captain told TVE.
"I thought Oblak was the best player in the first half. We deserved more from the game then, but he was fantastic."
Casillas now believes that Oblak's first-half heroics have left the tie beautifully balanced ahead of next week's second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"The tie is open," the Spain international added. "Very open. The return will be a nice game.
"But we have a good chance to go through. Hopefully, playing at home can help us win."
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