"I'm angry because the referee, the linesman and Real all combined to deprive us of the game," said Manzano on Sunday, his calm demeanour putting a mask on his deeply felt sense of injustice.

The source of his, and his players', discontent was Ivan Helguera's disputed winning header 13 minutes from time in the explosive game in which fifteen supporters and one policeman needed hospital treatment after fighting broke out between fans.

The Atletico players had hotly protested that Real striker Raul Gonzalez had been pushing and impeding their goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses, but referee Javier Moreno Delgado turned a deaf ear to their pleas and anguish.

"I am really angry becuase that was a clear foul before the ball went in the net and that proved to be decisive," added Manzano.

"It is unfair what happened. We deserved a lot more from this game and this decision was the crucial point in the match.

"The players made their feelings known about what happened, and the referee's decision, in the dressing room after the game," added Manzano, making it clear that he was speaking for the entire Atletico contingent.

"I'm also disappointed because at 1-1 we perhaps had a number of chances that we should have resulted in us going ahead," reflected Manzano, turning the spotlight on the shortcomings of his own team.

"After all, we had the advantage with them down to ten men and Real were under threat much more (than us)."