The wounds of Atletico Madrid’s shocking exit from the Champions League are still raw for Diego Simeone. The Argentine coach has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the UEFA’s handling of the match against Real Madrid, which ended with a penalty shootout defeat for Atletico.
A Controversial Exit
The controversy began when Szymon Marciniak, a Polish referee, disallowed a goal scored by Atletico’s Julian Alvarez due to a handball, following a VAR review. This decision sparked outrage from the Atletico camp, with Simeone questioning the validity of the call.
„I’ve never seen someone called to take a penalty and then VAR intervenes,” Simeone said after the match. „It’s a situation that’s never happened before.”
A Difficult Period for Atletico
The team’s performance since then has been lackluster, with two disappointing results in La Liga. A 2-4 defeat to Barcelona, despite leading 2-0 until the 72nd minute, and a 1-1 draw against Espanyol, have raised concerns about the team’s morale and form.
Simeone Speaks Out Again
In a recent press conference, Simeone revisited the topic of their Champions League exit. „We played very well in the Champions League, we won the second match, but UEFA decided otherwise. We won and were eliminated. I don’t think it’s a disappointment. What happened was very clear,” he stated.
UEFA’s Response
UEFA, however, has supported Marciniak’s decision, stating that the referee made the correct call. This has only fueled Simeone’s frustration, as he struggles to come to terms with the team’s elimination.
La Liga Title Hopes Fading
Atletico’s chances of winning the La Liga title have taken a significant hit following their recent results. If Barcelona wins their upcoming match against Girona, Atletico will trail the leaders by nine points.
Pursuing Success in Copa del Rey
While their league title hopes may be dwindling, Atletico still has a chance to win the Copa del Rey. Their 4-4 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-finals has set up an exciting second leg encounter.
With the team’s morale and form under scrutiny, Simeone will be hoping to rally his troops and secure a much-needed win in the upcoming matches. Will Atletico be able to overcome their recent struggles and secure a spot in the Champions League next season? Only time will tell.
Statistics and Facts:
* Atletico Madrid has won the La Liga title only once in the last 10 years (2013-14).
* Diego Simeone has been in charge of Atletico Madrid since 2011.
* Szymon Marciniak has officiated 15 Champions League matches since 2016.
* Atletico Madrid has reached the Champions League final three times in the last 10 years.
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