Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid manager refused to be drawn on Atletico Madrid’s criticism of referee Cesar Soto Grado’s performance in the Copa del Rey quarter-final clash.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid squared off in the quarter-final of Copa del Rey, and it was the former who secured passage to the next stage of the competition. Los Blancos booked their place in the semi-final of Copa del Rey after coming from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid 3-1. Atletico Madrid completed the match with just 10 men after Stefan Savic received a second yellow card and a subsequent red card in the 99th minute of the match.
Atletico Madrid were far from satisfied with the performance of Cesar Soto Grado in the Madrid derby. Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who is the Atletico Madrid CEO, and manager Diego Simeone were among those who expressed their displeasure at the performance of the referee.
They believe Dani Ceballos should have received a second yellow card for a foul and that the Spanish midfielder should have been sent off.
Real Madrid deserved to win Copa del Rey quarter-final clash, insists Carlo Ancelotti
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Speaking at a press match conference ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Real Sociedad, Carlo Ancelotti was asked about Atletico Madrid’s statements.
Carlo Ancelotti insisted Real Madrid deserved to win that match but refused to be drawn on Atletico Madrid’s criticism of the referee’s performance.
“It was an even match and we deserved to win. The rest is something I’m not going to talk about,” Carlo Ancelotti said [via Madrid Universal].
Carlo Ancelotti also spoke about the job of referees, describing it as ‘complicated’. The Real Madrid manager believes refereeing has improved a lot in general in Europe.
“I see it as a very, very complicated job. VAR has helped a lot, like with offside, but all subjective decisions can create a problem and controversy. If we compare with the 80s and 90s, there is no corruption. Sometimes they fail, like everyone else. In general, in Europe, refereeing has improved a lot,” Carlo Ancelotti said on the referees.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be aiming to earn all three points from their fixture against Real Sociedad and maintain pressure on table-toppers Barcelona.
Barcelona sits atop the La Liga points table with 44 points from 17 matches, while Real Madrid have 41 points.
