For international referees Kim Woo-sung and domestic referees who oversaw the match, the match between Manchester City and Atletico would have been a “special experience.”
The second game of the Coupang Play Series between Manchester City and Atletico at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the afternoon of the 30th was fierce enough to feel like a European Champions League rather than a pre-season friendly match. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and Atletico coach Diego Simeone have shown their desire for victory by focusing their energies on Elling Holan (Man City) and Antoine Griezmann (Atletico).
Naturally, the game became rough, and fouls came and went from the beginning of the game. In this flow, referee Kim took out his first yellow card in the 15th minute of the first half. Atletico defender Cesar Azpilicueta judged that the process of blocking Manchester City winger Jack Grealish’s dribble with his hand was intentional.
Referee Kim warned Atletico defender Mario Hermoso again in the 35th minute of the first half. Atletico players, dissatisfied with the decision from the first warning, rushed to referee Kim and protested harshly. Simeone, who was standing in the technical area, also made a gesture to protest the referee.
Referee Kim paid no attention and warned Calvin Phillips of Man City, Sergio Gomes and Atlético Chalar Sowinjwi in the second half. A total of five warnings came out at the site of the pre-season friendly. For reference, referee Kim issued only two warnings in the K-League 1 match between Seoul and Incheon held at the same stadium on the 22nd.
There are some points that are understandable at first glance. On this day, the total number of fouls for both teams was 27 (Man City 13, Atletico 14). It was that rough. Both teams practiced the old adage in the soccer world, ‘If you miss the ball, you don’t miss it’. Grealish and ‘Lionel Messi escort’ Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico) engaged in a fierce battle of nerves during the first half.
Just as the players on both teams were serious about this game, referee Kim was sincere about the decision. Referee Kim had a ‘rare experience’ of receiving protests surrounded by star players such as Azpilicueta, Koke, and De Paul. It was impressive to see Kim, who is known to have the best English skills among domestic referees, explain why the foul was committed and the background of the decision in English to the protesting players.
Referee Kim and the referees, who showed flawless operation overall, greeted the players happily after the match ended with Atlético winning 2-1. In particular, Atlético ace Antoine Griezmann approached with a bright expression and greeted the ‘K-referees’.
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