MADRID — In the midst of another heart-wrenching loss to their city rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone took the lead in rallying the fans. As his players gathered disheartened near midfield after the penalty-shootout exit in the round of 16, Simeone energetically waved his arms, attempting to inspire the crowd at Metropolitano Stadium to show their appreciation for the team’s efforts.
The fans responded to Simeone’s encouragement, acknowledging the fight their team displayed, despite the disheartening outcome. Simeone emphasized the positives, highlighting Atletico Madrid’s determination and commending his team for their resilience against the formidable 15-time European champions.
“The fans are certainly hurt by the elimination, but they understand that their team gave their all and earned the applause they received,” said Simeone. “We couldn’t advance, but I’ve made peace with that,” he added. “While we’ve yet to overcome Real Madrid in the Champions League, they’ve consistently struggled against us. Away from the public, I am sure they’ll acknowledge the toughness we bring.”
This marks the fifth consecutive Champions League setback against Real Madrid for Atletico, with this particular defeat especially painful. The team had been performing well and seemed poised to overcome their rivals at last. Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti recognized Atletico’s spirited campaign, commenting, “This was a heads-or-tails situation, and today we won, but Atletico leaves with their heads held high.”
The manner of the defeat was immensely painful for Atletico fans. A peculiar double touch by Julián Álvarez during the penalty shootout added a bizarre twist to the clash. This moment joins other dramatic incidents in the storied rivalry, like Sergio Ramos’ last-minute goal in 2014 and Antoine Griezmann’s missed penalty in the 2016 final.
The referee initially missed Álvarez’s double touch, requiring a video review to nullify the goal, ultimately allowing Real Madrid to secure the win. Simeone expressed skepticism about the double touch, challenging reporters to indicate they saw it during the post-match conference.
Simeone, who revitalized Atletico Madrid into a strong competitor since joining in 2011, acknowledged the challenge of moving past Wednesday’s defeat. However, he committed to focusing his team’s efforts on the La Liga and Copa del Rey tournaments, which are still within reach.
Atletico tied with Barcelona 4-4 in the initial leg of the Copa last month, with the decisive return match scheduled at the Metropolitano next month. Atletico trails both Barcelona and Real Madrid by a single point in La Liga, setting the stage for a crucial encounter with Barcelona on Sunday.
“Though we feel the fatigue and disappointment from the loss after competing fully, there’s no doubt we’ll give our all for what remains,” stated Simeone with determination.
