Simeone offers honest reflection by admitting ‘Milan were superior’ against Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has praised AC Milan for the way they started the game, insisting they made his side look inferior.

Simeone’s side can feel very lucky to emerge from San Siro with three points after what was a game ultimately conditioned by the major decisions that the referee made. Cüneyt Çakır was the centre of attention for two hugely controversial calls that ultimately determined the outcome of the game.

The first was the decision to award Franck Kessie two yellow cards in the first half and send him off when the second looked soft in comparison to some of the other challenges being made, and the second was a 93rd minute penalty call.

Pierre Kalulu was adjudged to have handled it inside the box but Milan were immediately outraged. When we saw the replays, the reason behind that was clear.

Simeone spoke to Mediaset’s microphones after the victory against the Rossoneri, and he began with an honest reflection of how the opening stages went, with his comments transcribed by MilanNews.

“At the beginning Milan were superior, they started well, with a fast and dynamic game. After Kessie’s sending off they gave up a bit of ground and we entered the game,” he said.

“In the second half we played with desire to win, against a team that closed well. We needed this victory. In eleven against eleven Milan did better, in the second half we tried in every way. If I had been in Pioli’s place, perhaps I would have thought what he thought. When it turns against you it doesn’t suit you.”

READ MORE: Tonali enraged by referee’s game-deciding penalty call – “I saw Lemar’s touch first”