Luis Suarez: 'Fernando Torres red card turned match'

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has admitted that his team benefited from Fernando Torres's red card in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Torres made the breakthrough at Camp Nou as Atletico drew first blood, but the Spaniard was handed a red card in the 35th minute after picking up two yellows in quick succession.

A double from Suarez saw Barcelona claim a 2-1 advantage ahead of the return leg in Madrid next week, and the Uruguay international has said that "the important thing" is that his team won.

"Obviously the sending-off in first half had an effect, even more when it's great player. I would have liked to come back with 11 men," Suarez told reporters.

"We could have scored another goal. The important thing is we won and they will need to score a goal there [in the second leg]. We knew there'd be little space, so I stayed close to area to convert what I could. That's why I am here, to help the team."

Suarez has now scored 45 goals in 45 appearances for Barcelona this season.