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Diego Simeone launched a dig at Paris Saint-Germain’s financial might as his Atletico Madrid side were comprehensively beaten in their FIFA Club World Cup opener at the Rose Bowl on Sunday night (4-0).
In sweltering conditions in Pasadena, Atletico Madrid struggled to match PSG throughout. _Les Parisiens,_ recently crowned European champions after their 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, dominated possession (75%) but were also incisive with it when they needed to be.
Fabián Ruiz got the first early in the first half, before Vitinha doubled the lead just before half-time. Late goals from Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in, following Clement Lenglet’s sending off, added a certain gloss to the final score.
In looking for explanations for the clear disparity between the two sides on the day, Simeone evoked PSG’s wealth. _“PSG are a good team of young players. When Luis Enrique needed a left-winger, they pulled out €70m to sign_ (Khvicha) _Kvaratskhelia in January. Then, you have to get them to play, and it is a team that has always done that,”_ said the Atletico Madrid manager in his post-match press conference.
The Argentine did, nonetheless, acknowledge a _“formidable”_ opponent on the day. Whilst PSG have moved away from the bling-bling era, spending remains high. Nearly €240m was spent on incomings this season. Last season, that figure was over €450m. This season, the La Liga side spent €185m, compared to just over €50m the year prior.
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