{"id":329979,"date":"2026-05-06T06:05:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T00:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=329979"},"modified":"2026-05-06T06:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T00:35:11","slug":"diego-simeone-makes-arsenal-and-barcelona-claim-after-atletico-madrid-defeat-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/06\/diego-simeone-makes-arsenal-and-barcelona-claim-after-atletico-madrid-defeat-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Diego Simeone makes Arsenal and Barcelona claim after Atletico Madrid defeat | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Diego Simeone during Atletico Madrid\u2019s defeat to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Diego Simeone hailed Arsenal because the \u2018best team\u2019 Atletico Madrid have faced this season after his side\u2019s deflating Champions League semi-final defeat.<\/p>\n

Simeone took his Atletico side to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night hoping to succeed in the club\u2019s first Champions League final since 2016.<\/p>\n

The primary leg ended 1-1 and one other cagey game in north London was settled by Bukayo Saka\u2019s first-half goal.<\/p>\n

Arsenal haven’t only booked their place in a primary Champions League final in 20 years but are closing in on the Premier League title, boasting a five-point lead over Manchester City.<\/p>\n

Simeone said Arsenal were worthy winners of the primary semi-final tie and described Mikel Arteta\u2019s team as the most effective he has faced this season despite meeting La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n

Asked whether Atletico were unlucky not to succeed in the ultimate, which will likely be held on May 30 in Budapest, Simeone said: \u2018Well if we got knocked out it\u2019s because our opponents deserved to get through.<\/p>\n

\u2018They took their big likelihood within the first-half and so they deserved to get through. I feel calm, I feel peaceful.<\/p>\n

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Arsenal beat Atletico 2-1 across two legs (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018We weren\u2019t clinical enough with the situations we were in. We improved within the second-half. There have been things that might\u2019ve gone our way but they didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u2018We gave it our all and now now we have to simply accept the place that we’re in. Due to our supporters and players I feel proud to be where we’re without delay.<\/p>\n

\u2018I said we desired to compete and now we have done that. Unfortunately we haven\u2019t won anything but now we have got to places which can be hard to get to.<\/p>\n

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Simeone also heaped praise on Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018Arsenal were the higher team over these two legs, they’re the most effective team now we have faced this season. They play with a rhythm and a conviction that may be very difficult to contain.\u2019<\/p>\n

Discussing Gunners boss Arteta in his post-match press conference, Simeone added: \u2018I feel Mikel has done an incredible job at Arsenal.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s been attempting to get thus far for a very long time, to succeed in the Champions League and to win the league.<\/p>\n

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Atletico left north London upset (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018They’ve incredible financial power, and that\u2019s linked to what they\u2019re doing, I\u2019m really pleased for them. They deserve it. They\u2019ve been working very hard for a few years.\u2019<\/p>\n

Simeone also hailed Arsenal as the most effective team Atletico Madrid have come up against after losing to the Gunners within the group stages of the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, meanwhile, also admitted that Arsenal \u2018deserved\u2019 to advance to the Champions League final, where they’ll face Bayern Munich or holders PSG.<\/p>\n

\u2018Whoever wins is at all times the most effective team,\u2019 he said. \u2018They won it and congratulations to them. After all, we’re sad and offended but that\u2019s football.<\/p>\n

\u2018The second half was good. Possibly we showed them just a little bit an excessive amount of respect in the primary and were afraid to play. It was good after that but not enough to progress to the ultimate.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s unlucky for us and we\u2019re upset but it surely\u2019s life. Arsenal were higher and so they\u2019re in the ultimate.\u2019<\/p>\n

PSG have a narrow one-goal advantage over Bayern Munich ahead of their semi-final second leg after sealing an exciting 5-4 win in Paris last week.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Thierry Henry reveals private conversation with Arsenal star before Atletico Madrid win<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Arsene Wenger responds to Arsenal celebrations after Atletico Madrid win<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Declan Rice takes swipe at Chelsea after Arsenal reach Champions League final<\/span><\/p>\n

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