Barcelona's miserable night in Madrid was made even worse by the renewed scrutiny of the Metropolitano Stadium pitch, after Atletico romped to a 4-0 victory in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
While the scoreline told a very one-sided story on the pitch, much of the post-game conversation quickly turned to the poor playing surface, with plenty questioning its condition for such a high-profile fixture.
What is wrong with Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium pitch?
Concerns over the Metropolitano pitch have been lingering for many months, dating back to when the stadium hosted an NFL fixture back in November.
Since then, visible wear, patchy grass and uneven sections have been highlighted as problematic.
Footage circulating on social media during the semi-final clash appeared to show loose turf and grass in poor condition, prompting complaints from some Barcelona supporters.
The issue has resurfaced a number of times this season, but the problems didn't impact Atletico, who looked far more comfortable on the surface, moving the ball with speed and aggression while Barcelona struggled to impose themselves.
FGG says: A poor excuse for a poor Barcelona performance
While the pitch is clearly not in pristine condition, it cannot be used as a serious explanation behind Barcelona's surprising collapse.
Ultimately, both teams played on the same surface, and Atletico adapted far better.
Barcelona fans have every right to be frustrated by the state of the pitch, but there are much bigger worries elsewhere.
Such as their lack of control in midfield, their defensive frailties and their inability to respond after each of the four goals.
The Metropolitano pitch will certainly still need addressing ahead of other important fixtures and events.