Simeone questions LaLiga referees after Atletico edge out Osasuna

Diego Simeone challenged the standard of LaLiga officiating after  Atletico Madrid clinched a 1-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday. 

Thiago Almada scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute, netting for the first time in LaLiga as he linked up with fellow substitute Giuliano Simeone, who registered his third assist in the Spanish top flight this season. 

Atletico moved back up to fourth, and remain undefeated domestically since the opening day of the campaign. 

The hosts extended their current unbeaten streak in the league to eight games, having scored in all nine of their top-tier games this term, with no side doing so more often. 

Atletico thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when Alex Baena slotted past Sergio Herrera in the visitor's net, only for it to be adjudged offside after a contentious VAR review. 

"What do you say? There are things that are not understood," Simeone added when discussing the disallowed goal. 

"I think the same as you, there are three people who are watching it and decided the opposite of what we all think.

"The team knew how to suffer in the last stretch, they put a lot of tall people and we controlled them well, although we left a lot of crosses.

"A strange atmosphere, but we knew how to get it out with a lot of effort."

Simeone was not the only high-profile LaLiga coach to hit out at the officiating on Saturday, with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick left furious after he was sent off during the Blaugrana's win over Girona, meaning he is likely to serve a suspension for El Clasico next week.

With four wins from their last five outings across all competitions, Atletico are set to travel to Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, hoping to follow up on their 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt last time out.