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Simeone Blasts Referee After Real Knocks Atletico Out of Copa del Rey

Simeone Blasts Referee After Real Knocks Atletico Out of Copa del Rey

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has pointed the finger squarely at referee Cesar Soto Grado’s for Thursday’s 3-1 Copa del Rey quarter-finals loss to Real Madrid.

Atleti defender Stefan Savic was sent off in extra-time for a second bookable offence, a foul on Eduardo Camavinga.

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior went on to score goals to send Real through as Atletico tired as the game headed towards 120 minutes.

But Simeone lamented Soto Grado’s decision-making, insisting Real should have been down to 10 men in regulation time, before Rodrygo Goes’ equalizer sent the game beyond 90 minutes.

“For me we played a very good game until the 70th minute, when Ceballos didn’t get a second yellow card,” Simeone told reporters, referring to a foul on Thomas Lemar.

“We’d have been a man up and 1-0 up, but it didn’t happen. Later Savic was sent off and we were a man down.

“It got more difficult with 10 men, but the team was brave enough to look for the draw, I’m happy with the effort of the players.”

Simeone also blasted Soto Grado or his lack of protection of Atletico forward Alvaro Morata.

“I asked him ‘Do you have something against Alvaro?,” he said. “If so, I won’t pick him in the next game you referee.

“He said Alvaro sometimes goes down easily. But he went off with a knock.

“They’re decisions. Ceballos could have got a yellow and didn’t, and Savic did.”

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