Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets took aim at Atletico Madrid's tactics after Saturday's 1-1 draw.
However, he added that they have their own way of playing football and that it "has to be respected."
"It's difficult but Atletico set up for games like this. We expected it but we didn't think they'd be so defensive. It's not fun nor is it what we wanted, but it's their idea and has to be respected. We tried but it wasn't to be," Busquets told Movistar after making his 500th Barça appearance.
"They sat back deep, with two lines of four waiting for the counter-attacks. It was tough because they kept the lines together and getting through the middle was complicated."