Dzeko: Referee should have had the courage to award a penalty

Dzeko was fouled by Nelson Semedo inside the opening 10 minutes of the match, only for referee Danny Makkelie to wave away the appeals and allow the game to continue.

And Barcelona took full advantage, as two own goals and a strike from Gerard Pique gave them a healthy advantage before Dzeko himself grabbed a late lifeline.

However, Luis Suarez late goal left the tie in a tough place for the Giallorossi.

“I think that, right from the start, we tried to play as we always do by pressing high, even knowing that they are an incredibly strong side,” Dzeko said. “We have tried everything, which is a shame, as 4-1 is a tough result to take.”

He added: “The penalty could have changed the game. The referee needs to have the courage to give a penalty against Barcelona, because we are also in the quarter-finals and all of the teams here have earned the right to play.”

Dzeko played down suggestions that the team had struggled with the stage they were on – and insisted they would look to bounce back against Fiorentina at the weekend.

“I don’t know whether it’s a question of mentality; they are a better side than us and everyone is aware of this,” Dzeko noted. “3-1 would have been a better result but when you make so many errors against a side this good you get punished.

“[Now] we have to bounce back against Fiorentina. It’s an important game in ensuring we play in next season’s Champions League. After that, we’ll think about Barcelona again.”