‘Need blood’ for a red card
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was left raging after Bayern defender Jonathan Tah avoided a red card for appearing to hit Joao Pedro.
The striker was knocked to the floor as he tried to run away from the centre-back on the counter-attack.
Maresca was adamant the swipe should have resulted in an early bath for Tah.
He ranted: “I always said it was a red card when there is no intention to go for the ball just when the intention is to kick another player. Why is it not a red card?
“The referee said it was not hard or aggressive enough.
“So to give you a red card, they need to see your blood or they need to see something.
“If the intention is to go there, it’s a red card. So for me there is not any doubt.”
Coming up tonight
The final day of matchday one in the Champions League sees some huge ties as Newcastle welcome Barcelona to St James’ Park and Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne returns to the Etihad to face Man City.
17:45 BST kick-offs:
- Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Club Brugge vs Monaco
8pm BST kick-offs:
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray
- Sporting Lisbon vs Kairat Almaty
- Newcastle vs Barcelona
- Man City vs Napoli
Simeone storms out
Diego Simeone stormed out of his post-match press conference after refusing to answer another question on his bust-up with a Liverpool fan.
Simoene first refused to explain what was said by the fan and if it was about his Argentine nationality.
He was then asked what the referee said before sending him off and he refused to reveal, taking his headphones off and leaving the room without another word.
‘Bitter taste’
Diego Simeone admitted to feeling “bitter” over his 92nd-minute defeat to Liverpool.
He was full of praise for his team, saying: “The team did not start well and we lacked fortune with the first goal, which knocked our plans a bit, and then came the second.
“From there, the team with spirit, work and quality the lads have, started to get into the game, generate a lot of play.
“We ended the first half with Marcos’ [Llorente] goal, which was a boost too.
“The second half, we were improving our play, although we did suffer some counter-attacks.
“We were still right in the game and then came the 2-2.
“But then it was a great goal by Virgil, really impressive, which leaves us with a bitter taste of losing the game, but knowing we have the spirit to play for Atletico Madrid.”
‘I hope they’re punished’
Diego Simeone wants Liverpool to punish the fan he confronted at the end of the match.
The Atleti boss said: “They always talk about care, about respect… but they insult you from the crowd all game.
“I can’t say anything back because I’m the coach. My reaction is not justifiable. But after 90 minutes of insults it’s not easy.
“The referee told me he understood the situation. I hope Liverpool can improve on this part and that when they identify the person responsible, they are punished.”
Asked about the insults, he added: “Insults all game long. And gestures too. You don’t know what it’s like.
“But I am the one who has to stay calm, and I have to put up with the gestures, the insults, in any situation.
“Why? Because I’m in a position where I have to put up with it.”
Simeone on red card
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone faced the press following his side’s dramatic last-gasp defeat at Anfield and opened up about his sending off for confronting a Liverpool fan following Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal.
The fiery Argentine appeared to clash with supporters in the aftermath of the decisive 92nd-minute header, and was soon shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani.
Simeone lost his cool and claimed it was because he was forced to deal with “insults” all night.
And he feels “it’s not easy” brushing them off over the course of 90 minutes.
Read the full article here