Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke after he secured his first-ever win at Camp Nou as Atleti beat Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
When asked about his team winning by two goals with only three shots on target, he replied that “I could tell you a thousand stories about matches where we’ve had 30 shots and didn’t score, football is wonderful because clinical finishing is key.
“We were extremely clinical tonight, whereas on other nights we haven’t been.”
Diego Simeone on the game
“I think we defended well, doing a great job of stopping them from making any headway in attack. Apart from the first 15 minutes, where we created more chances, but then the moment we’d been waiting for arrived. Julián spotted Giuliano, the VAR ruled a red card and Julián scored an incredible goal.
“In the second half, they tried to pull one back, but we were 2-0 up, we held on and kept our cool to take home a good result, knowing the difficulty we’ll face next Tuesday. And we’re going to rise to the challenge.”
Simeone on whether he’s satisfied
“I’m rarely happy. I always find something that stops me from enjoying what we’re doing. I put myself in the players’ shoes and I know how difficult it is to play here. The team tried every possible approach, including playing with the kind of determination we don’t always manage to muster, but today we had it 100%.”
Simeone on the handball appeals
“It’s a matter of common sense. If Marc received what was deemed a pass to start the move, the referee saw it the same way as Marc.”
Simeone on whether one foot is already in the semi-finals
“No, we’re not guaranteed a place in the semi-finals. We’re humble enough to admit they’re very good, but we’re fully committed to staying in this competition that we love so much.”
Simeone on whether it’s harder to defend a lead in the second leg
“I prefer preparing for a lead, to be honest. It’s a matter of common sense. After the 4-0 result (in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg), we saw how well they responded at home. We’re expecting a difficult, complex match. We look at who we’re up against and know we have to get through.”
Simeone on his first Camp Nou win
“It wasn’t just me. There are few managers who have managed to win here. We were decisive, and I’m pleased with the players’ effort. We’ve changed a lot of players over the years, it’s not easy for them to adapt to what this club needs to achieve. With all due humility, we know we’ll have a difficult match at home.”
Simeone on the second leg
“You know us. We’re neither overconfident nor overly cautious. We know who we’re up against, we’re ready to play the game we need to, and they know exactly who they’re playing against too.”
Simeone on mustering a two-goal lead
“We’ll try to put in a good performance at home. We need our fans more than ever. We need them to be strong and get behind us for a match that, as always against Barça, will be a tough one.”
Simeone on winning at Camp Nou taking so long
“We’d never won at this ground before. It’s very difficult, against a team that plays possibly the best football in Europe alongside PSG and Bayern. Thanks to some good teamwork, we were able to make an impact in the crucial moments of the match. The 0-2 gave us more confidence and it’s a shame we couldn’t build on that lead a bit more.”
Simeone on what worked well
“We knew that a situation could arise with the high line they play. We’re a team that’s caused them problems in almost every match we’ve played against them, apart from last year’s 0-1 defeat (in the Copa). We always created chances, goals and good play. It was tough because they press very well, they take time away from you. Out of 23 matches, they’ve won 22 and scored in every one. We know that, and every time you come here it’s difficult.
“We were brave in capitalising on that situation between Julián and Giuliano to get the sending-off. And then Sørloth, being the player he is, was there ready for whatever came his way, a good cross from Matteo and total clinical finishing. A good result, but against an opponent who’ll make us suffer on Tuesday.”
