Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick not pleased with officials after Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick questioned some of the refereeing decisions in the game as he saw his team crash out of the UCL in the Round of 16.
Despite dominating the first half of the game, Renan Lodi’s goal just before half-time ensured that Atletico progressed to the quarterfinals of the competition, condemning United to a home defeat after carrying a 1-1 aggregate score from the first leg of the tie.
Rangnick was furious with referee Slavco Vincic for keeping an eye on his opponents’ time-wasting tactics, saying that there was always an Atletico player lying on the floor and interrupting the game.
“It was hard in the second half and always interrupted. There was always somebody lying on the floor.”
The loss ensures that Rangnick will end his stint as interim manager without a trophy and also extended the Red Devils’ trophy drought to five years. The Red Devils have failed to win a single honour since their 2017 UEFA Europa League win.
“Curious refereeing decisions”
The only goal of the game was marred in controversy after Anthony Elanga was seemingly fouled in the build-up to Lodi’s strike in the first half of the game. The referee then waved away complaints from the United players, and the goal stood.
Rangnick described some of the referee’s decisions to be curious and not decisive, saying that Vincic fell too often for Ateltico’s time-wasting tactics and felt that more injury time needed to be added at the end because of these antics.
“I would also say some curious refereeing decisions. I wouldn’t say they were decisive, but at least he fell too often for those time-wasting antics and four minutes at the end added on was a joke for me. That was a foul for sure on Anthony Elanga but the referee and the linesman didn’t see it that way.”
While the first half of the game saw the Old Trafford side dominate proceedings, the second period saw them unable to break down Diego Simeone’s tough defence as they chased a goal to take the tie to extra time.
Elanga, who will feel let down by the referee for not awarding him the foul, came closest to opening the scoring for his side as his strike at the near post hit Jan Oblak in the face as the keeper somehow pulled off an impressive stop.
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Man United’s frustration only kept building as Atletico proved they are one of the very best at disrupting opposition tempo and taking their time over every set piece. The fact that the referee allowed them to get away with it just added to our frustrations.
With no trophies coming to Old Trafford this term, the Manchester side will need to focus completely on finishing in the top four of the Premier League table to ensure that they play Champions League football next season. They are currently fifth in the league table and will need to be flawless for the remainder of their Premier League campaign.
