Seeing red: Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone claimed that he had been “insulted for 90 minutes” by Liverpool fans during Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 defeat in the Champions League at Anfield.
Simeone, the Atletico boss, was shown a red card in the aftermath of the hosts’ last-minute winner, where Virgil van Dijk rose highest to plant a header into the corner in second half stoppage time.
Liverpool had threatened to run riot with two goals in as many minutes, as Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah had them 2-0 up in six minutes.
Marcos Llorente netted twice to give the La Liga side hope of an unlikely point, but that was snatched away from them at the death.
As the home faithful celebrated van Dijk’s winner, Simeone, incensed, approached a home supporter in the front row behind the dugout, and was restrained by stewards before being shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani.
In his post-match interview, the Uruguayan said that he his reaction to being insulted “isn’t justifiable”, blaming the “tension” for his outburst.
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“They’ve been talking about being careful, but they’ve been insulting you from behind the bench the whole game and you can’t say anything because I’m the coach,” he said.
“My reaction to the insult isn’t justifiable, but you don’t know what it’s like to be insulted for 90 minutes non-stop.
“Of course, when the opponent has just scored, you turn around and they keep insulting you, and with the tension, what happens happens.”
The referee, before brandishing the red card at Simeone, conversed with the Atletico manager.
Simeone said of the exchange: “He told me he understood, but I hope Liverpool can improve and if they identify who did that, there will be consequences.
"There have been insults all game and then there was a gesture, but well, the one who has to stay calm is me and put up with everything, insults, gestures, because you’re in a position where it’s your turn.”