Ajax's Tadic: Referee 'stole everything from us' vs. Chelsea

Ajax star Dusan Tadic didn't pull any punches when assessing the performance of match official Gianluca Rocchi during Tuesday's frenetic 4-4 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Dutch side surrendered a three-goal second-half lead in part because central defenders Daley Blind and Joel Veltman were sent off within a minute of each other after picking up second yellow cards.

"We should just talk about our game because we have 4-1 and everything under control and then one man stole everything from us," Tadic said about Rocchi, per B/R Football.

Serbia international Tadic was one of several Ajax players to vehemently protest Blind's second yellow for a tackle on Tammy Abraham and the ensuing handball decision on Veltman.

Jorginho scored for the hosts from the spot and Veltman was shown a second yellow for dissent as Ajax went down to nine men with 20 minutes to go.

"We saw the situation," Tadic added. "It's (a) foul on Daley Blind, then it's not (a) second yellow for Daley Blind, then it's not (a) second yellow for Joel Veltman, then it's not (a) penalty."

Ajax players were also incensed with Rocchi's decision to award Chelsea a penalty in the 5th minute when Christian Pulisic collided with Veltman in the area.

"I have never seen in my life triple punishment," Tadic continued. "... We should just talk (about) how Ajax was better than Chelsea, but we cannot because somebody destroy our game."

With the 4-4 draw, Ajax and Chelsea sit joint-tops of Group H with Valencia on seven points after the Spaniards stormed back to beat Lille 3-1 thanks to three goals in the final eight minutes on Tuesday at the Mestalla Stadium.