In the fiery derby at the Wanda Metropolitano, Real Madrid won 3-1 against Atletico Madrid. However, the official social media account of Atletico Madrid blamed VAR for their defeat, but to everyone’s surprise, manager Diego Simeone refused to agree.
In the fiery derby at the Wanda Metropolitano, Real Madrid won 3-1 against Atletico Madrid. However, the official social media account of Atletico Madrid blamed VAR for their defeat, but to everyone’s surprise, manager Diego Simeone refused to agree.
VAR was at the heart of many key decisions at the derby which saw nine yellow cards and Thomas Partey being dismissed. Casemiro had scored a bicycle shot for Real before Antoine Griezmann levelled the match, but VAR overturned the initial offside ruling.
Real led the first half with Sergio Ramos' penalty after Santiago Arias brought down Vinicius Jr following another VAR ruling, despite initial contact looking to have occurred outside of the area.
Former Real striker Alvaro Morata thought he made the second equaliser, but his finish was correctly denied by VAR for offside.
Diego Simeone refused to attribute the loss to VAR. He said, "Atletico Madrid lost because of a convincing opponent. I don't usually speak about VAR and I believe it's something that will surely get better and make things more efficient for all.
"I can't see the replays like those working with VAR do, so I hope they were correct with the decisions. I definitely don't think we lost because of VAR. The opposition were better than us and more convincing. They had a very good game. So we congratulate them and prepare for the next one."
Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari hailed his side's commitment to secure their maiden win at the Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano. "Football is played with all the members of the team," Solari said.
"This team is fully committed to the shirt they wear, and they want to win every game and they are demonstrating that. They are competing very well.
"To get points at this stadium, against a very competent, very competitive and very strong team in all fields, but especially here at Wanda, the only way is doing a match like the one we did today."
Ramos also believes that the title race is not over yet. "Today, in general, I thought we played a really good game," The Real captain added.
"The complete performance - from front to back and in attack and defence - we didn't give them much space, didn't give them any chances. It's a good result.
"We have achieved our objective, we came here to win here and get back into second.
"We haven't been there for a little while and to cut the gap on the leader (Barcelona). They have to play tomorrow, let's see what happens."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Atletico Madrid")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}