Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has described his side’s Champions League victory over Bayern Munich as ‘like a movie’ after reaching the final for a second time in three seasons.
Atletico scraped through despite a 2-1 defeat on the night to Pep Guardiola’s Bayern – who have now lost in three straight semi-finals to Spanish opposition – and Simeone once again cemented his status as one of Europe’s best in the dugout.
His dogged side, so determined not to lose or concede goals, proved once again effective as they counter-attacked a solid Bayern Munich to hit them with an early sucker-punch in the second half through Antoine Griezmann.
Thomas Muller and Fernando Torres both missed penalties while Robert Lewandowski gave the home side hope, but Simeone’s men held on to make it to the final once again, a feat the manager feels is the stuff of Hollywood.
“[It’s] very emotional. It was a very good first half by Bayern, they’re a great team. The missed penalty gave us life,” Simeone told BT Sport post- match.
“We had to change a bit from the first leg in terms of how we played and we showed our strengths as a team. The penalty miss by Torres hurt us but in the end it was like a movie, thrilling, with five minutes extra time.
“Once the game reached the end we expected one more counter attack because we knew we needed one more chance. I’m proud of what has happened to this club. We are beating the best teams in the world. Over the course of 180 minutes we showed the work of three years.
“I hope that destiny will eventually help us in the final. It doesn’t matter, who we play.”
Atletico could be on for a double just like they were two years ago. Simeone’s side won La Liga and lost in the final of the Champions League to Real Madrid in 2014, but could make up for that this year.
They currently sit level on points with Barcelona at the top of the Spanish top flight and may face either Real or Manchester City at the San Siro in the Champions League final later this month.
COMMENTS