Diego Simeone Reflects on Atletico’s Champions League Exit Against Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid's Champions League journey came to a heartbreaking conclusion at the Metropolitano Stadium, as they were eliminated by Real Madrid in a tense penalty shootout during the Round of 16. Diego Simeone was a central figure in the post-match discussions.
Simeone's most passionate moment came when addressing the contentious penalty situation surrounding Julián Álvarez. He directly challenged the officials about the alleged double-touch violation. “Did anyone see that Julián touched the ball twice? Raise your hand. Who’s raising their hand? Come on, who’s raising their hand? Okay, who touched the ball twice, Julián? Nobody? Done,” he stated emphatically. However, despite Simeone’s assertions, video replays confirmed that Álvarez did indeed touch the ball twice, justifying the penalty's disallowance under the rules.
Pride in Atletico’s Performance
“I wouldn’t say it was about luck; I’d rather emphasize how proud I am of this team and our relentless competitive spirit. This will be remembered throughout our journey at the club,” Simeone remarked.
Match Analysis: A Game of Fine Margins
“We controlled the game well. We had opportunities to extend our lead but lacked the finishing touch. While they dominated possession, they didn’t create significant scoring chances. They missed a penalty, and I believe we performed exceptionally well,” he added.
On Preparing for Penalties
“Penalties in training are different from those in matches; I didn’t see how they executed theirs. Julián seems to have touched the ball while shooting, and if the referee interprets it that way, then that’s how it is,” Simeone explained.
Facing Another Champions League Exit Against Real Madrid
“I’m proud of our team. I hope our fans enjoyed the match. Real Madrid often defeats us in the Champions League, but they always find it challenging against us,” he concluded.
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