LaLiga: ‘I’m surprised he didn’t win Ballon d’Or’ – Simeone hails Barcelona star after defeat

Atletico Madrid’s seven-match winning streak ended on Tuesday as Barcelona secured a 3-1 win at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Alex Baena opened the scoring for Atleti, but goals from Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres sealed the defeat.

The loss did little to unsettle head coach Diego Simeone, who offered a measured assessment of the performance.

Simeone: “I liked the team”

“We started well, but they managed to hurt us inside, with the ball filtered inside,” Simeone said, as quoted by Diario AS.

“In the second half it was the opposite: they started a little better but, after 20 minutes, we were the ones who looked for the game. We couldn’t complete it, but I liked the team.”

He credited Barcelona’s fluid structure for causing defensive disruption.

“We know that they have very good feet and that they play with a lot of people inside so that disorder appears in the rival centre-backs, and today it worked very well for them.

“But I feel very calm and happy with what the team did. This will help us to improve. Now, a tough match also in Bilbao.”

“I don’t know how he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or”

Simeone once again singled out Raphinha for praise, stating his admiration for the Brazilian after a decisive performance.

“Raphinha is an incredible player. He can play everywhere. As a winger, as a midfielder, as a striker, or even as a wing back.

“He can score, can create, he presses and runs. I don’t know how he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or. For me, I would choose him always.”

Injury concerns for Atletico

The Atleti manager also commented on the injuries to Baena and Johnny Cardoso, both forced off during the match.

“Baena is a differential player of ours. He is growing a lot and has personality and courage to play anywhere you tell him.

“It was a shame about Cardoso’s injury and at the start of the match. It moved the change that we hoped to make later, unfortunately.”

Atletico now turn their focus to a challenging fixture away to Athletic Club in Bilbao.