Diego Simeone has launched a scathing attack on UEFA, claiming that European football's governing body "decided" Atletico Madrid's Champions League exit against city rivals Real Madrid following a contentious penalty incident involving Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine manager remains frustrated over the ruled-out spot-kick, which officials disallowed due to a double touch from his compatriot Alvarez. According to Simeone, this controversial decision ultimately proved decisive in Atletico's elimination from Europe's premier club competition.
"We did very well in the Champions League; we competed well, we won the second leg [at home], we finished as UEFA had decided. We won and we were eliminated," Simeone told reporters, making his feelings about the officiating crystal clear. "I don't consider it a blow. What happened was very clear."
The incident has added to Simeone's growing list of grievances with UEFA's officiating decisions, as he clearly believes his team was unfairly treated in their crucial encounter with their cross-town rivals.
Atletico's disappointments haven't been limited to European competition. In the aftermath of their Champions League heartbreak, Simeone's side suffered further setbacks in La Liga. They squandered an early advantage against Barcelona, eventually falling to a 4-2 defeat that severely damaged their title aspirations.
Reflecting on the Barcelona loss, Simeone acknowledged his team's defensive vulnerabilities against the Catalan giants. "Against Barcelona, it was a different situation, we were exposed to a very dangerous team, and they scored four goals in 20 minutes," he explained.
The challenges continued following the international break, as Atletico could only manage a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Espanyol in their return to domestic action. This latest stumble has highlighted the team's inconsistency at a crucial stage of the season, leaving their manager visibly frustrated.
Despite these setbacks, Atletico still have an opportunity for redemption as they prepare for their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona on April 1. The first encounter between the two sides produced an exhilarating 4-4 draw, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling decider at the Metropolitano Stadium.
As Simeone shifts his focus to this upcoming cup tie, the lingering frustration over their European exit remains evident. His pointed comments about UEFA's role in their Champions League elimination suggest that the controversial penalty decision will not be forgotten anytime soon at the Metropolitano.
