Diego Simeone is the bitten dog in the Spanish press after the defeat against Chelsea (0-1) in the eighth final of the Champions League. The Argentinian coach is mainly accused that his team was too defensive and careful to work against the Blues, who won thanks to a nice bicycle kick from Olivier Giroud in the 72nd minute. Simeone, however, cannot do much with the strong criticism against him, as his words after the European defeat show.
Atlético was unable to shoot at goal against Chelsea and including the meeting on Tuesday evening, they have now not been able to win three games in a row. Nevertheless, according to Simeone, there is still no reason to panic. “We have entered a difficult phase, that is absolutely clear,” said the choice of the leader in LaLiga in the Spanish press. “But with that I look more at the recent results than at our performance on the field.” Simeone then protected his group.
“If you had told me in September that we would lose this game and nevertheless still lead the league, I would have signed for it right away”, Simeone referred to the strong season that Atlético is running in LaLiga. “We have to work hard, stay focused and keep improving. My confidence in the team has not disappeared. Chelsea now has an advantage thanks to the win, but I still believe we can turn it around in the second game” , Simeone spoke hopeful words after the painful home defeat in the Champions League.
?????????????? ???????????? ??
Chelsea takes the lead after more than seventy minutes. After a long VAR check, a nice bicycle kick from Giroud is approved: 0-1!#ZiggoSport #UCL #ATMCHE pic.twitter.com/T7PYTr9tb4
– Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) February 23, 2021
The fact that Atlético used a cowardly playing style against Chelsea, is absolutely not acceptable to Simeone. “I don’t know what you expected”, the losing coach said. “But everyone can have their own opinion about this. With our organization and attacking qualities we tried to become dangerous when Chelsea lost the ball. In possession, however, we were too sloppy, but unfortunately you cannot change a game afterwards. the next match (Sunday against Villarreal, ed.) to find more connection and be a lot more precise “, said Simeone.
It was a memorable defeat for Atlético in the Champions League on Tuesday-evening, because it was the first home defeat in the knock-out phase of the billion dollar for the Madrid team since 1997. At the time, Atlético lost 2-3 to Ajax in the return duel in the quarterfinals, partly thanks to a great long shot from Dani. The Simeone formation will face Chelsea again on March 17, this time at Stamford Bridge.