Diego Simeone believes the rationale Atletico Madrid drew their Champions League semi-final first leg in opposition to Arsenal was an absence of medical ending, quite than dangerous luck.
Julian Alvarez’s penalty noticed the primary leg finish degree on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano after Viktor Gyokeres scored a spot-kick of his personal within the first half.
This was the primary Champions League knockout stage recreation with multiple aim to see 100% of them come by way of penalties because the 2001 last (Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia).
Atleti’s xG (2.2) was the second-highest by a staff in opposition to Arsenal throughout all competitions this season, solely behind Aston Villa in December 2025 within the Premier League (2.5).
Antoine Griezmann hit the woodwork and noticed one other effort blocked by Gabriel Magalhaes, whereas Ademola Lookman shot straight at David Raya after turning previous Ben White.
When requested if Atleti’s show in entrance of aim got here all the way down to luck, Simeone responded: “I don’t consider in that type of luck, I consider in medical ending.
“The primary half was even; maybe they’d extra possession, however there have been few clear-cut probabilities for both aspect.
“They’re superb, they haven’t misplaced a single Champions League match, they’re high of the Premier League, and the substitutes who got here on and have been higher than the starters.
“Every little thing was spectacular main as much as an excellent second half, the place we had probabilities to win the sport. We simply couldn’t be medical sufficient in these conditions.”
He’s so good it looks as if a online game pic.twitter.com/6pXbWirBWN
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 29, 2026
Arsenal (57) and Atleti (55) are the 2 groups from Europe’s top-five leagues who’ve performed probably the most matches throughout all competitions in 2025-26, with each side additionally assembly on the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.
The Gunners received 4-0 within the league section, although Jan Oblak insisted Atleti won’t dwell on that consequence forward of the second leg.
“It was an intense recreation from each side. Either side have been on the lookout for a win, however I feel we had a great recreation, however at 1-1, there’s lots to determine in London subsequent week,” the Atleti goalkeeper informed TNT Sports activities.
“We won’t take into consideration the earlier recreation the place we misplaced 4-0 there. I consider it will likely be a special recreation, and we are going to do all the things to get a great consequence and get to the ultimate.
“We don’t take into consideration lifting the trophy; first, we have to work on the pitch within the second leg. Arsenal wish to win the Champions League as effectively, so we have to move them first.”
