Diego Pablo Simeone spoke to the media after his team’s draw against the Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. The Argentine coach was optimistic about the second leg after seeing how his team approached the Metropolitano match.
Arteta just said that Eze’s penalty, Arsenal’s second, is very clear. What is your opinion?: “I never give my opinion on the opinions of colleagues”
Feeling of better result: “The atmosphere… I rarely remember this atmosphere at the start of the game. Tremendous, wonderful, a gift to the team. The first half was calmer, with one from Julián and one of them. In the second half we adjusted more, we could see their fatigue from so many games they have been playing, they have to win the Premier, the Champions League… In the second half we were able to stay ahead, but their goalkeeper had good saves, a defender saved one from Griezmann. We have an extraordinary challenge ahead of us: London, Arsenal’s field, We will go and play with everything”
Penalties: “In the Champions League semi-finals, as in the first one, it needs to be a penalty. Thanks to the VAR, ours was a penalty. There are times when the VAR gives you and sometimes it takes it away.”
Giuliano, during the break… Julián: “I can’t imagine any of them not being there on Tuesday. Giuliano, because of the blow he had. Julián, because of the blow. Sorloth, with discomfort in his hamstrings”
Koke and Griezmann: “What we saw. Hierarchy, talent… Griezmann passes the game and instead of getting tired he improves and something ends up happening. I loved Lookman’s game, we are getting an important player to interpret that his defensive work helps us”
The team attacks better than it defends: “It is clear that the team became stronger. Robin’s entry gave us defensive strength. The team showed more consistency. We have to improve defensive performance, it is not enough to attack well”
Authority coup: “First, I am happy from the moment I arrived at the stadium with the atmosphere, the energy after losing a final. There are no more words to thank. It is true that the team did not give up. The team stands up. We have Koke and Antoine with the age they are… and they work and run. We have a fantastic challenge that excites me”
More chances for Arsenal to play the Premier: “You have seen the five that have come in from them… they are very good and have plenty of equipment to compete. They have won 10 games in the Champions League, they have drawn three, they have not lost. We are playing against a great team”
