Diego Simeone mentioned watching his Atlético Madrid crew compete nonetheless makes him “emotional” after eliminating Barcelona 3-2 on mixture to achieve the Champions League semifinals for the primary time since 2017.
Barça gained Tuesday’s quarterfinal second leg on the Metropolitano 2-1 — after targets from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Ademola Lookman — however it’s Atlético who will face both Arsenal or Sporting Membership de Portugal within the subsequent spherical.
Simeone’s Atlético have now reached the Champions League semifinals 4 instances, in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2026, knocking out Barça thrice alongside the best way.
“Knocking Barça out within the Champions League quarterfinals is not straightforward,” Simeone mentioned in his post-match information convention. “We have confronted [Lionel] Messi’s Barça, Yamal’s Barça, and we have completed it.”
“It has been 14 years [here],” Simeone added. “Seeing the crew compete nonetheless makes me emotional. The gamers have modified, we have began once more so many instances, and as soon as once more we’re among the many 4 greatest groups in Europe.
“How good is it to play a Champions League semifinal!”
Simeone praised the contribution of Antoine Griezmann, who will depart Atlético to hitch Orlando Metropolis in MLS this summer time.
“He is a genius,” Simeone mentioned. “We’ll realise over time that we have had a soccer genius right here, a participant who makes the distinction, with expertise, and character. Let’s hope God and future give him what he is searching for in his time left with us.”
“I am very joyful,” Griezmann advised Movistar. “We made two errors [for Barça’s goals] which you pay for right away in these video games. I gave away the ball for the second. However in the long run, with the followers and our high quality, we had been in a position to get the aim.
“We weren’t comfy with the ball, we did not have the calm we would have liked to play. However we’re within the semifinals. It would not matter who we play.”
Simeone’s crew have usually been labelled defensive, however the coach argued that it was an attacking strategy which had seen them get rid of Barcelona.
“We have been evolving for years,” Simeone mentioned. “We’re clear about what we wish. We assault higher than we defend! So we have now to assault. There isn’t any different approach.”
Arsenal host Sporting on the Emirates on Wednesday, with the Premier League aspect main 1-0 after the primary leg.
