Simeone laments Atletico’s missed chances in ‘difficult’ Real defeat

Diego Simeone was frustrated by the failure of Atletico Madrid to take advantage of their control in their 2-1 loss for Real Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League-equal game.

After Rodrygo placed the side of Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Alvarez recovered the parity in the 32nd minute with a stunning curly effort that crashed on the way to the post.

Alvarez has now scored seven goals in nine performances in the Champions League this season, with only Diego Costa in 2013-14 and VAVA scoring more in their first European campaign for Atletico.

After their equalizer, visitors were able to create the real creation and dominate the possession, but they were unable to change that in clear opportunities for themselves.

And their dissolute was punished for 10 minutes in the second half when Brahim Diaz danced his way to the area before he finished Jan Oblak up close.

Indeed, Atletico has now lost each of their last four out-of-matches in the knockout phases of the Champions League, their longest losing run away from home in this phase of the competition since 1969-1971 (five).

Never stop believing pic.twitter.com/wueuobkdpd

– Atlético de Madrid (@Atletienglish) 4 March 2025

Simeone said, however, that he was happy with how his team responded to the early opener of Rodrygo, and added that he was convinced that they could turn the draw in the second stage.

“We should have benefited better when we had control of the game,” he said. “It is difficult to take risks, so that you lose the game with each counterattack.

“We have checked that situation very well, but we missed (something) in the last meters.”

Simeone was also convinced that the atmosphere for their own supporters would give his players a lead to set up a comeback, as they did against Inter in this phase of the competition last year.

But that task could have been made even more difficult in the final phase, where Kylian Mbappe finds Vinicius Junior in the last moments after a quick counterattack.

“Perhaps the hope will open that no goal for what is coming,” concluded Simeone.