James Rodriguez has criticised referee Carlos Clos Gomez for his performance in the match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Los Rojiblancos won 2-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie at the Vicente Calderon, leaving Los Blancos with a mountain to climb next week at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real felt the awarding of a penalty on the hour mark, converted by Raul Garcia to give the hosts the lead was particularly hard. And speaking to reporters after the game, James said he was angry with some of the decisions.
“He was very hesitant. Always hesitating over this or that. And if he was in doubt, he always went in favour of Atletico. The referee always try to make fair decisions but in the end he got it a little wrong,” Marca quoted him as saying.
He added that despite the result, the players would be focused on putting things right in the return match on Tuesday.
“That is football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You always have to have a winning mentality. We put pressure on them and tried to score. It was an unfair result,” he commented.
And he added: “It is hard because they are strong at the back and play with intensity, but we have faith in our ability to make a comeback and we have a good opportunity at the Bernabeu.
It’s good to have a fithing spirit but it requires a physical condition to demonstrate that on the pitch.