Atletico Madrid coach Simeone: I asked ref if he had something against Morata; I won't select him if we get Soto Grado again

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone admits confronting ref Cesar Soto Grado during their Copa del Rey defeat at Real Madrid last night.

Atletico lost 3-1, with Stefan Savic being sent off.

Simeone revealed: "I asked him, because it already happened in San Sebastin that Morata was not whistled for a foul. I told him that if he had something against lvaro, I wouldn't play the next match that he would referee for us, because it's very difficult.

"He told me that lvaro 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."