Atlético Madrid will have to pick themselves up again as they pack their bags to travel back home earlier than most expected from the Club World Cup, after being knocked out of the tournament in the group stage.
And for Atleti coach Diego Simeone, the biggest reason for his team missing the round of 16 was clear: the referees.
Diego Simeone’s side were eliminated despite a 1-0 victory over Brazil’s Botafogo in their final Group B match on Monday, as they finished third in a very difficult group, level on six points with Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo but falling short on goal difference.
The damage was largely inflicted in that opening 4-0 thrashing by PSG, a scoreline that would ultimately prove fatal to their ambitions in FIFA’s revamped multi-million dollar showcase.
Reflecting on the campaign, Simeone expressed pride in his players’ efforts but lamented what he deemed poor officiating.
“Proud of the boys’ work. We gave absolutely everything we had. We won two out of three matches and even so, sadly we’re out,” he told DAZN after the Botafogo win.
“With six points, it wasn’t bad, but the match against PSG condemned us, where every refereeing decision always went against us. Today’s game also had a penalty decision overturned after a VAR review. It’s more of the same. We know what we need to improve, and this will help us move forward.”
Simeone’s men arrived in the United States with high hopes, boasting a squad that included Argentinian forward Julián Álvarez, former France captain Antoine Griezmann, and several other international names.
