Atletico boss hopeful Antoine Griezman can win trophies with the club before leaving at the end of the season
Diego Simeone said he feels emotional watching Atletico Madrid still competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, after his side reached the semifinals for the first time since 2017.
Atletico progressed 3-2 on aggregate despite their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in Tuesday’s second leg at the Metropolitano. Goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres had brought Barcelona level in the tie before Ademola Lookman scored the decisive goal to send Atletico through.
The result means Atletico will face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semifinals, making it the fourth time under Simeone that the club have reached that stage of the competition.
“Knocking Barca out in the Champions League quarterfinals isn’t easy,” Simeone said. “We’ve faced [Lionel] Messi’s Barca, Yamal’s Barca, and we’ve done it.
“It’s been 14 years [for me here]. Seeing the team compete still makes me emotional. The players have changed, we’ve started again so many times, and once again we’re among the four best teams in Europe. How good is it to play a Champions League semifinal!”
Simeone also praised Antoine Griezmann, who is set to leave the club for Orlando City at the end of the season.
“He’s a genius,” Simeone said. “We’ll realise over time that we’ve had a football genius here, a player who makes the difference, with experience, and personality. Let’s hope God and destiny give him what he’s looking for in his time left with us.”
Griezmann admitted that Atletico struggled in the game but was satisfied with the outcome.
“I’m very happy,” Simeone said. “We made two mistakes [for Barca’s goals] which you pay for straight away in these games. We gave away the ball for the second. But in the end, with the fans and our quality, we were able to get the goal.
“We weren’t comfortable with the ball, we didn’t have the calm we needed to play. But we’re in the semifinals. It doesn’t matter who we play.”
