Koke hit out on the officiating throughout Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on the Membership World Cup.
Atleti have been dispatched by the European champions of their Group B opener on the Rose Bowl on Sunday.
Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha put PSG 2-0 up earlier than half-time, with Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in rounding out an emphatic victory for PSG late on, after Clement Lenglet had seen pink.
However issues could have been completely different had Atleti not had a aim disallowed with the rating at 2-0. Julian Alvarez slotted in on the finish of a swift counter, but it was chalked off after referee Istvan Kovacs consulted with VAR and awarded PSG a free-kick for a foul by Koke on Want Doue.
And Atleti stalwart Koke feels some tight calls went in opposition to Diego Simeone’s staff.
“The staff had began effectively, however we all know PSG’s degree, they’re European champions for a motive,” Koke advised reporters.
“We knew it was going to be robust, however for me, 4-0 isn’t honest. The staff tried to push ahead; we had probabilities. We even scored to make it 2-1, however he dominated it out with a foul that if he desires to name it, he’ll name it, and if he doesn’t, he received’t.
“We’ve all seen what occurred, the small particulars that led to it. PSG are honest winners; given their degree, they have been higher. Congratulations to them.
“Now we have to push more durable, like within the second half, after we noticed a distinct staff, wanting the ball, attacking. The sending-off killed us.”
Simeone, although, refused to get drawn into an excessive amount of of a dialogue across the referee’s efficiency.
“I’m tired of speaking about repetitive subjects,” he mentioned. “In any other case, we at all times appear to be victims, and I don’t really feel like a sufferer of something.
“We performed in opposition to a fantastic opponent, who was higher than us. However the particulars are apparent.”
PSG have scored 105 targets because the begin of 2025, greater than some other staff from Europe’s prime 5 leagues.
Luis Enrique’s staff have additionally gathered extra anticipated targets (93), had extra pictures (682) and had extra pictures heading in the right direction (286) of any staff from Europe’s large 5 competitions in the identical time.
This encounter got here simply 15 days after PSG thrashed Inter 5-0 within the Champions League ultimate, and requested how the gamers stayed motivated, membership captain Marquinhos advised DAZN: “You by no means know the way a match will go, particularly in opposition to an opponent you recognize, who defends very effectively.
“They’re a really robust opponent to play in opposition to. We had difficulties in opposition to them within the Champions League, however our staff confirmed its power once more as we speak.
“Despite the fact that we received the Champions League two weeks in the past, we’re motivated and we put in the fitting depth. It’s enormous. We simply need to congratulate our staff, maintain going like this, be humble and calm. Preserve defending and attacking.”
