Quique questions VAR consistency after Alavés’ defeat to Atlético

“In the first half there was a Lookman incident similar to the one behind the sending-off, and VAR applied a different standard,” Quique said after Alavés’ defeat to Atlético. The coach added that he had not seen the incident that led to the dismissal himself: he had been told it resembled the situation involving Lookman. If the two incidents were comparable, he said, the difference in treatment was painful for his side.

His assessment also focused on his team’s play. Quique acknowledged that Alavés lacked precision on the ball and lost possession quickly, while Atlético, in his view, played well and moved the ball with purpose. He also rued the goal conceded close to the end. Alavés lost 2-1.

The dismissal came when several substitutions were ready, he explained. Quique would have liked to see the rest of the match played with 11 men on each side, particularly so his team could match Atlético physically. A player down, Alavés found itself in an extremely difficult position and moved further away from what it could achieve, he said. He nevertheless praised Atlético’s performance and said the opponent had put his team under considerable pressure.

The defeat extends Alavés’ run to four matchdays without a win. Quique said there was no reason for concern. He wants his squad to take a clear-eyed, modest view of its capabilities and not lose sight of its objective during this difficult spell.