Simeone slams CWC refs: Everything 'against us'

Atlético Madrid volition person to prime themselves up again arsenic they battalion their bags to question backmost location earlier than astir expected from the Club World Cup, aft being knocked retired of the tourney successful the radical stage.

And for Atleti manager Diego Simeone, the biggest crushed for his squad missing the circular of 16 was clear: the referees.

Diego Simeone's broadside were eliminated contempt a 1-0 triumph implicit Brazil's Botafogo successful their last Group B lucifer connected Monday, arsenic they finished 3rd successful a precise hard group, level connected six points with Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo but falling abbreviated connected extremity difference.

The harm was mostly inflicted successful that opening 4-0 thrashing by PSG, a scoreline that would yet beryllium fatal to their ambitions successful FIFA's revamped multi-million dollar showcase.

Reflecting connected the campaign, Simeone expressed pridefulness successful his players' efforts but lamented what helium deemed mediocre officiating.

"Proud of the boys' work. We gave perfectly everything we had. We won 2 retired of 3 matches and adjacent so, sadly we're out," helium told DAZN aft the Botafogo win.

"With six points, it wasn't bad, but the lucifer against PSG condemned us, wherever each refereeing determination ever went against us. Today's crippled besides had a punishment determination overturned aft a VAR review. It's much of the same. We cognize what we request to improve, and this volition assistance america determination forward."

Simeone's men arrived successful the United States with precocious hopes, boasting a squad that included Argentinian guardant Julián Álvarez, erstwhile France skipper Antoine Griezmann, and respective different planetary names.

However, their dense nonaccomplishment to PSG and lacklustre performances wide raised further questions astir the team's absorption nether their long-serving manager.

Griezmann was the standout performer against Botafogo, scoring the decisive extremity and providing a uncommon spark for a broadside that has struggled to replicate the antiaircraft prowess seen successful Simeone's champion years, erstwhile they reached 2 Champions League finals.

"We can't absorption connected the referee. Sometimes we're not astatine our best, and we indispensable code that," Griezmann said aft the triumph implicit Botafogo.

Despite dominating possession, Atlético seldom troubled Botafogo's organised defence and needed their goalkeeper Jan Oblak to enactment their magic against their Brazilian rivals to debar a worst result.

The erstwhile decision by PSG had already exposed acquainted weaknesses, including frail defending against wide players and a deficiency of creativity successful the last 3rd -- issues that person plagued them during 4 consecutive trophy-less seasons.

Adding to Atletico's woes is the show of bitter rivals Real Madrid poised to beforehand successful FIFA's revamped tournament. With an off-season of introspection ahead, Atlético look mounting challenges to rebuild and reclaim their presumption arsenic contenders connected each fronts.

Information from Reuters was utilized successful this story.