'Not at the level': Atletico left to ruminate after Club World Cup KO
For all the excuses -- and there have been many -- one line from Antoine Griezmann cut straight to the heart of the matter after Atletico Madrid's Club World Cup elimination.
"We have to look at ourselves and see that there are times when we are not at the level and we have to resolve that," said the veteran French forward.
Griezmann's goal earned Atletico a 1-0 win over Botafogo on Monday but the Brazilian side progressed ahead of the Spaniards on goal difference to reach the Club World Cup last 16.
Atletico were left licking their wounds, just like they were after failing to win a major trophy this season.
Their controversial Champions League last 16 elimination by Real Madrid after Julian Alvarez's "double-touch" penalty left Atletico raging at referees, UEFA and their arch-rivals.
They spiralled and blamed that for their capitulation in La Liga, which they led at Christmas, while Simeone insisted a Copa del Rey semi-final defeat by Barcelona was something the club had to accept.
"We are trying to keep improving to get closer and closer to the teams above us and to accept the place we are," said the Argentine coach.
However Atletico, who won La Liga in 2014 and 2021, and finished runners-up in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League final, have been far closer to the elite than they are right now.
Some players at the club understand that, like Griezmann and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while others do not seem to.
"We'll keep rattling the cages of those at the top," pledged Marcos Llorente after the group stage elimination in the United States.
Atletico were upset that some penalty appeals were ignored during the win over Botafogo in Pasadena.
"I've never seen anything like it, to be honest, I think we should have been awarded two penalties," complained winger Giuliano Simeone, the coach's son.
"I think the decisions are not favouring us at all -- in all the debatable ones, we have to play against that."
- 'It takes work' -
It was Atletico's opening 4-0 thrashing by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain that cost them qualification and also showed how far they are from the game's peak.
Simeone has been in charge since 2011 and many would say he is the greatest coach in the club's history, but in recent years questions have grown around whether he is the man to drive Atletico further.
The last trophy they won was La Liga four years ago.
"I'm sad to be eliminated, we got six points from three games. We won two," said Simeone.
As has so often proven the case in recent years, it was not enough.
In some quarters of the Spanish media, former Rojiblanco defender Filipe Luis, coach of Brazilian side Flamengo -- who have made it through to the last 16 -- has been linked as a future Atletico coach.
"They've had a long season... let's hope the next one is better for them," said retired Atletico great Sergio Aguero, but with the team not progressing, some fans are losing their hope.
Griezmann, who signed a new contract with Atletico at the start of the summer and ended a 18-game goal drought against Botafogo, believes it will take elbow grease.
"It takes work, and it's a problem deeper and more to do within the team than the referees," he added, as Atletico packed their bags for home.
"We have to focus on what we have to improve, on what we have to do to win these games."
rbs/dh
Originally published as 'Not at the level': Atletico left to ruminate after Club World Cup KO
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News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
'Not at the level': Atletico left to ruminate after Club World Cup KO
For all the excuses -- and there have been many -- one line from Antoine Griezmann cut straight to the heart of the matter after Atletico Madrid's Club World Cup elimination. "We have to look at ourselves and see that there are times when we are not at the level and we have to resolve that," said the veteran French forward. Griezmann's goal earned Atletico a 1-0 win over Botafogo on Monday but the Brazilian side progressed ahead of the Spaniards on goal difference to reach the Club World Cup last 16. Atletico were left licking their wounds, just like they were after failing to win a major trophy this season. Their controversial Champions League last 16 elimination by Real Madrid after Julian Alvarez's "double-touch" penalty left Atletico raging at referees, UEFA and their arch-rivals. They spiralled and blamed that for their capitulation in La Liga, which they led at Christmas, while Simeone insisted a Copa del Rey semi-final defeat by Barcelona was something the club had to accept. "We are trying to keep improving to get closer and closer to the teams above us and to accept the place we are," said the Argentine coach. However Atletico, who won La Liga in 2014 and 2021, and finished runners-up in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League final, have been far closer to the elite than they are right now. Some players at the club understand that, like Griezmann and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while others do not seem to. "We'll keep rattling the cages of those at the top," pledged Marcos Llorente after the group stage elimination in the United States. Atletico were upset that some penalty appeals were ignored during the win over Botafogo in Pasadena. "I've never seen anything like it, to be honest, I think we should have been awarded two penalties," complained winger Giuliano Simeone, the coach's son. "I think the decisions are not favouring us at all -- in all the debatable ones, we have to play against that." - 'It takes work' - It was Atletico's opening 4-0 thrashing by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain that cost them qualification and also showed how far they are from the game's peak. Simeone has been in charge since 2011 and many would say he is the greatest coach in the club's history, but in recent years questions have grown around whether he is the man to drive Atletico further. The last trophy they won was La Liga four years ago. "I'm sad to be eliminated, we got six points from three games. We won two," said Simeone. As has so often proven the case in recent years, it was not enough. In some quarters of the Spanish media, former Rojiblanco defender Filipe Luis, coach of Brazilian side Flamengo -- who have made it through to the last 16 -- has been linked as a future Atletico coach. "They've had a long season... let's hope the next one is better for them," said retired Atletico great Sergio Aguero, but with the team not progressing, some fans are losing their hope. Griezmann, who signed a new contract with Atletico at the start of the summer and ended a 18-game goal drought against Botafogo, believes it will take elbow grease. "It takes work, and it's a problem deeper and more to do within the team than the referees," he added, as Atletico packed their bags for home. "We have to focus on what we have to improve, on what we have to do to win these games."
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7 hours ago
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'Not at the level': Atletico left to ruminate after Club World Cup KO
For all the excuses -- and there have been many -- one line from Antoine Griezmann cut straight to the heart of the matter after Atletico Madrid's Club World Cup elimination. "We have to look at ourselves and see that there are times when we are not at the level and we have to resolve that," said the veteran French forward. Griezmann's goal earned Atletico a 1-0 win over Botafogo on Monday but the Brazilian side progressed ahead of the Spaniards on goal difference to reach the Club World Cup last 16. Atletico were left licking their wounds, just like they were after failing to win a major trophy this season. Their controversial Champions League last 16 elimination by Real Madrid after Julian Alvarez's "double-touch" penalty left Atletico raging at referees, UEFA and their arch-rivals. They spiralled and blamed that for their capitulation in La Liga, which they led at Christmas, while Simeone insisted a Copa del Rey semi-final defeat by Barcelona was something the club had to accept. "We are trying to keep improving to get closer and closer to the teams above us and to accept the place we are," said the Argentine coach. However Atletico, who won La Liga in 2014 and 2021, and finished runners-up in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League final, have been far closer to the elite than they are right now. Some players at the club understand that, like Griezmann and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while others do not seem to. "We'll keep rattling the cages of those at the top," pledged Marcos Llorente after the group stage elimination in the United States. Atletico were upset that some penalty appeals were ignored during the win over Botafogo in Pasadena. "I've never seen anything like it, to be honest, I think we should have been awarded two penalties," complained winger Giuliano Simeone, the coach's son. "I think the decisions are not favouring us at all -- in all the debatable ones, we have to play against that." - 'It takes work' - It was Atletico's opening 4-0 thrashing by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain that cost them qualification and also showed how far they are from the game's peak. Simeone has been in charge since 2011 and many would say he is the greatest coach in the club's history, but in recent years questions have grown around whether he is the man to drive Atletico further. The last trophy they won was La Liga four years ago. "I'm sad to be eliminated, we got six points from three games. We won two," said Simeone. As has so often proven the case in recent years, it was not enough. In some quarters of the Spanish media, former Rojiblanco defender Filipe Luis, coach of Brazilian side Flamengo -- who have made it through to the last 16 -- has been linked as a future Atletico coach. "They've had a long season... let's hope the next one is better for them," said retired Atletico great Sergio Aguero, but with the team not progressing, some fans are losing their hope. Griezmann, who signed a new contract with Atletico at the start of the summer and ended a 18-game goal drought against Botafogo, believes it will take elbow grease. "It takes work, and it's a problem deeper and more to do within the team than the referees," he added, as Atletico packed their bags for home. "We have to focus on what we have to improve, on what we have to do to win these games." rbs/dh Originally published as 'Not at the level': Atletico left to ruminate after Club World Cup KO
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10 hours ago
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A late strike from Antoine Griezmann has handed Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Botafogo, but the victory could not save the Spanish giants from a group stage exit at the Club World Cup. Following Paris St Germain's 2-0 over Seattle Sounders in Monday's other Group B game, the French side finished level on six points with Botafogo and Atletico. However, European champions PSG secured top spot thanks to a superior goal difference, with South American champions Botafogo also advancing to the last 16 after finishing second. Atletico, in third, and Seattle, bottom with no points after three games, were eliminated. PSG will face the Group A runners-up on Sunday, while Brazil's Botafogo will take on the Group A winners on Saturday. Even though they were aware a two-goal defeat would secure them a place in the next round, Botafogo's Igor Jesus and Jefferson Savarino forced Atletico keeper Jan Oblak to make a couple of brilliant saves. Following their shock 1-0 win over Champions League winners PSG, Botafogo defended their ground fairly well throughout a cagey encounter, with Atletico dominating possession but rarely presenting a real threat to goalkeeper John. However, tempers spilled over when Atletico appealed for a penalty after Botafogo's Gregory appeared to step on Julian Alvarez's foot inside the box. Following a VAR review, referee Cesar Ramos ruled out the penalty due to an earlier foul by Atletico's Alexander Sorloth in the build-up. The decision left Atletico manager Diego Simeone furious, with the Argentine storming onto the pitch at halftime to confront the Mexican official. As Atletico made a late run desperately looking for the three goals they needed, substitute Griezmann fired the winner in the 87th minute from inside the box, a bittersweet goal that denied Botafogo a top-placed finish in the group and handed PSG that accolade. For PSG, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the first half while Achraf Hakimi struck in the second to secure the French club their place in the last 16. At the Hard Rock Stadium, Palmeiras came from behind to draw 2-2 with Inter Miami in front of an electric crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, as both clubs advanced to the round of 16. A tie was enough to send both teams to the knockout round after they entered Monday's match tied atop the Group A standings with four points apiece. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami took a 2-0 lead deep into regulation with goals by Tadeo Allende in the 16th and Luis Suarez in the 65th. But Palmeiras clawed back, with a goal from Paulinho in the 80th and then the equaliser from Mauricio a couple minutes before the end of regulation. Messi, who turns 39 on Tuesday, had numerous chances but did not score despite the crowd chanting his name throughout. Palmeiras finished as winners of Group A and will face fellow Brazilians Botafogo in the round of 16, while Inter Miami take on Group B winners and Messi's former club PSG. In East Rutherford, Pepe fired in the 89th-minute equaliser for FC Porto to cap a wild 4-4 draw with Al Ahly in a FIFA Club World Cup match Monday in East Rutherford. Both teams exited the tournament given the Palmeiras-Inter Miami draw. A late strike from Antoine Griezmann has handed Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Botafogo, but the victory could not save the Spanish giants from a group stage exit at the Club World Cup. Following Paris St Germain's 2-0 over Seattle Sounders in Monday's other Group B game, the French side finished level on six points with Botafogo and Atletico. However, European champions PSG secured top spot thanks to a superior goal difference, with South American champions Botafogo also advancing to the last 16 after finishing second. Atletico, in third, and Seattle, bottom with no points after three games, were eliminated. PSG will face the Group A runners-up on Sunday, while Brazil's Botafogo will take on the Group A winners on Saturday. Even though they were aware a two-goal defeat would secure them a place in the next round, Botafogo's Igor Jesus and Jefferson Savarino forced Atletico keeper Jan Oblak to make a couple of brilliant saves. Following their shock 1-0 win over Champions League winners PSG, Botafogo defended their ground fairly well throughout a cagey encounter, with Atletico dominating possession but rarely presenting a real threat to goalkeeper John. However, tempers spilled over when Atletico appealed for a penalty after Botafogo's Gregory appeared to step on Julian Alvarez's foot inside the box. Following a VAR review, referee Cesar Ramos ruled out the penalty due to an earlier foul by Atletico's Alexander Sorloth in the build-up. The decision left Atletico manager Diego Simeone furious, with the Argentine storming onto the pitch at halftime to confront the Mexican official. As Atletico made a late run desperately looking for the three goals they needed, substitute Griezmann fired the winner in the 87th minute from inside the box, a bittersweet goal that denied Botafogo a top-placed finish in the group and handed PSG that accolade. For PSG, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the first half while Achraf Hakimi struck in the second to secure the French club their place in the last 16. At the Hard Rock Stadium, Palmeiras came from behind to draw 2-2 with Inter Miami in front of an electric crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, as both clubs advanced to the round of 16. A tie was enough to send both teams to the knockout round after they entered Monday's match tied atop the Group A standings with four points apiece. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami took a 2-0 lead deep into regulation with goals by Tadeo Allende in the 16th and Luis Suarez in the 65th. But Palmeiras clawed back, with a goal from Paulinho in the 80th and then the equaliser from Mauricio a couple minutes before the end of regulation. Messi, who turns 39 on Tuesday, had numerous chances but did not score despite the crowd chanting his name throughout. Palmeiras finished as winners of Group A and will face fellow Brazilians Botafogo in the round of 16, while Inter Miami take on Group B winners and Messi's former club PSG. In East Rutherford, Pepe fired in the 89th-minute equaliser for FC Porto to cap a wild 4-4 draw with Al Ahly in a FIFA Club World Cup match Monday in East Rutherford. Both teams exited the tournament given the Palmeiras-Inter Miami draw. A late strike from Antoine Griezmann has handed Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Botafogo, but the victory could not save the Spanish giants from a group stage exit at the Club World Cup. Following Paris St Germain's 2-0 over Seattle Sounders in Monday's other Group B game, the French side finished level on six points with Botafogo and Atletico. However, European champions PSG secured top spot thanks to a superior goal difference, with South American champions Botafogo also advancing to the last 16 after finishing second. Atletico, in third, and Seattle, bottom with no points after three games, were eliminated. PSG will face the Group A runners-up on Sunday, while Brazil's Botafogo will take on the Group A winners on Saturday. Even though they were aware a two-goal defeat would secure them a place in the next round, Botafogo's Igor Jesus and Jefferson Savarino forced Atletico keeper Jan Oblak to make a couple of brilliant saves. Following their shock 1-0 win over Champions League winners PSG, Botafogo defended their ground fairly well throughout a cagey encounter, with Atletico dominating possession but rarely presenting a real threat to goalkeeper John. However, tempers spilled over when Atletico appealed for a penalty after Botafogo's Gregory appeared to step on Julian Alvarez's foot inside the box. Following a VAR review, referee Cesar Ramos ruled out the penalty due to an earlier foul by Atletico's Alexander Sorloth in the build-up. The decision left Atletico manager Diego Simeone furious, with the Argentine storming onto the pitch at halftime to confront the Mexican official. As Atletico made a late run desperately looking for the three goals they needed, substitute Griezmann fired the winner in the 87th minute from inside the box, a bittersweet goal that denied Botafogo a top-placed finish in the group and handed PSG that accolade. For PSG, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the first half while Achraf Hakimi struck in the second to secure the French club their place in the last 16. At the Hard Rock Stadium, Palmeiras came from behind to draw 2-2 with Inter Miami in front of an electric crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, as both clubs advanced to the round of 16. A tie was enough to send both teams to the knockout round after they entered Monday's match tied atop the Group A standings with four points apiece. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami took a 2-0 lead deep into regulation with goals by Tadeo Allende in the 16th and Luis Suarez in the 65th. But Palmeiras clawed back, with a goal from Paulinho in the 80th and then the equaliser from Mauricio a couple minutes before the end of regulation. Messi, who turns 39 on Tuesday, had numerous chances but did not score despite the crowd chanting his name throughout. Palmeiras finished as winners of Group A and will face fellow Brazilians Botafogo in the round of 16, while Inter Miami take on Group B winners and Messi's former club PSG. In East Rutherford, Pepe fired in the 89th-minute equaliser for FC Porto to cap a wild 4-4 draw with Al Ahly in a FIFA Club World Cup match Monday in East Rutherford. Both teams exited the tournament given the Palmeiras-Inter Miami draw.
