Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has revealed why he confronted referee Cesar Soto Grado during their Copa del Rey defeat against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid won the tie at the Santiago Bernabéu 3-1, with Atletico Madrid man Stefan Savic sent off in extra time.

Simeone doesn’t believe that the referee was fair with his officiating.

Simeone said: “I asked him, because it already happened in San Sebastián that Morata was not whistled for a foul. I told him that if he had something against Álvaro, I wouldn’t play the next match that he would referee for us, because it’s very difficult.

“He told me that Álvaro exaggerates his falls, but I ate the one that Morata had to leave due to the blow. Nobody cares about what didn’t happen, we’re talking about something that didn’t happen, Ceballos could see the yellow card, he didn’t see it, Savic did.

“Madrid is happy, we are not because of the result, but happy with how we competed.

“Decisive are the players who play and Madrid in this situation was once again superior in front of goal in the important moments of the game. We had chances, that of Griezmann, Carrasco, Memphis… But when they compete like this there are few things to claim from the team.

“We are out of the Champions League, the Copa and we have the second round left to reach the goal that the club needs.”