“They deserved it” – Simeone hails Arsenal’s power after Atletico Champions League exit

Diego Simeone refused to make excuses after Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Arsenal, praising the Gunners’ “incredible power” following their semi-final defeat.

A narrow 1-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium sealed a 2-1 aggregate result, ending Atlético’s run and sending Arsenal into the final.

“Opponent deserved to advance”

Simeone was direct in his assessment, admitting Arsenal were the better side across both legs.

“If we were eliminated, it’s because our opponent deserved to advance. They were clinical in the first half and earned their place,” he said.

Despite the disappointment, the Atlético boss emphasised pride in his team’s effort, insisting they competed to their maximum level against a superior opponent.

No excuses despite penalty controversy

The match included a contentious moment involving Antoine Griezmann, with Atlético appealing for a penalty.

However, Simeone shut down any attempt to shift blame onto officiating.

“I’m not going to dwell on it because that would be making excuses, and I don’t want to make excuses for anything,” he stated.

Praise for Arteta and Arsenal project

Simeone also acknowledged the work of Mikel Arteta, highlighting Arsenal’s tactical consistency and overall structure.

“They have a team and a manager that I like. They follow a consistent approach… congratulations, they competed well,” he added.

He also referenced the club’s resources as a factor in their competitive edge, positioning Arsenal as a fully built, high-performance side.

Reality check for Atletico

The club has grown into a consistent European contender, but the inability to convert deep runs into trophies remains a gap.

“People want to win; reaching the final isn’t enough,” he admitted.

Arsenal will face Bayern Munich or PSG in the final on May 30. The English side are in poll position to lift their first ever Champions League title.