Diego Simeone was not looking for apologies, because Atletico Madrid lost 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in their FIFA Club World Cup opener.
Los Rojiblancos struggled in the heat in California, while the Luis Enrique team overwhelmed them for most of the competition.
First half goals from Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha set the tone for the newly crowned UEFA Champions League winners while the Simeone team fought until the rest.
The competition was turned around for Simeone with two authorities on either side of the restart, because Antoine Griezmann was refused by Gianluigi Donnarumma and Julian Alvarez saw a goal excluded by VAR.
Referee Istvan Kovacs initially allowed the goal to stand, while Alvarez was sleeping home to drag Atletico Madrid to the game, to make the score 2-1.
However, the Romanian was advised to take another look through the VAR Pitch Side Monitor in the Rose Bowl.
As part of a process for VAR decisions that had to be announced to the crowd at the tournament, Kovacs did not allow the goal after an error by Koke on Desire Doue in the structure.
“After the On Field Review, no. 6 for Atletico Madrid [Koke] commit a free kick, canceled goal. “
Kovacs caused further frustration for Simeone when he broadcast Clement Lenglet with a second yellow card for deviating opinions.
Simeone acknowledged the row around the referee in his press conference after the game, but focused on what is for his team.
“I'm bored to talk about repetitive topics. We played against a big opponent, who were better than we were. But the details are clear”, according to quotes from Diario like.
“We could have binded the game with Griezmann's shot, but the keeper made it and we left a difficult situation. A 4-0 defeat is very negative, but it depends on responding.”
The next is a collision with MLS side Seattle Sounders on 19 June, followed by a trip back to Pasadena to watch Botafogo on 23 June.