UEFA Champions League - Simeone exuberant at Atlético achievement - News
Simeone exuberant at Atlético achievement
While Diego Simeone's Club Atlético de Madrid felt "a lot of joy" after beating FC Barcelona, Gerardo Martino rued not scoring a goal that "would have changed the game".
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
There's a lot of joy at having got through a tie against great rivals who have a proud history. Now we are calm because we know this isn't the end, and we will try to recover as soon as possible because on Sunday we have another match.
The first 20 minutes were very good in terms of our attitude, intensity and play. Then Barça began to get into the game and had some opportunities, so things became trickier for us.
My players don't need words to motivate them – they need security, decisiveness and the ability to try and get the best out of them all. I admire these players. I admire their dedication and the way they work together as a team.
Adrian [López] was great in the first half – he almost scored and he linked up perfectly with Koke and David Villa. Aside from getting through the tie, I'm happy that Adrián is back to his best. I repeat: Adrian is a different player now and one that can give us alternatives.
Gerardo Martino, Barcelona coach
Results happen for a reason. When Atlético were the better side, they scored their goal. We also had opportunities and just one goal from us would have changed the course of the game.
At certain points, we couldn't do the things [we wanted] because of how our opponents played. Atlético kept a lot of players near their penalty area – they did that very well and that made it hard for us to find any space.
This environment [the home fans at the Vicente Calderón] is difficult to find in Europe, but it's more common in Argentina. Barcelona's style is different to Atletico's approach. We played as we have done for the past ten years, with the formula that led to our success. Tonight, there were a big difference between the teams in the first 20 minutes; then we had our chances.
In the beginning, the game was as Atlético like it: long balls, rebounds to pick up. We weren't short of intensity, but we couldn't string together four or five passes. We expected to have more control and we failed to do that.
We're all sad because we had high expectations. Now we have to talk to the players and move on.We have to keep fighting in the two competitions that remain for us now: the league and the Copa del Rey.
© 1998-2020 UEFA. All rights reserved. Last updated: Wednesday 18 April 2018
LiveDefiant Mascherano looks to Barcelona double
Following their UEFA Champions League elimination by Club Atlético de Madrid, Javier Mascherano said FC Barcelona's focus was now firmly on the Spanish double.
LiveKoke keen for Atlético run to continue
Koke, Gabi and Diego of Club Atlético de Madrid were in celebratory mood after they advanced past FC Barcelona to book their place in Friday's semi-final draw.
LiveKoke takes Atlético through at Barcelona's expense
Club Atlético de Madrid 1-0 FC Barcelona (agg: 2-1)Koke's fifth-minute volley ended the visitors' hopes of a seventh straight semi-final as Atlético reached the last four for the first time in 40 years.
LiveWatch all Wednesday night's highlights
Patrice Evra's thunderous effort was the pick of the goals in Wednesday's quarter-final second legs. Watch full video highlights from both games on UEFA.com.