Diego Simeone believes the rationale Atletico Madrid drew their Champions League semi-final first leg towards Arsenal was an absence of scientific ending, fairly 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 sport with multiple objective to see 100% of them come by way of penalties because the 2001 closing (Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia).
Atleti’s xG (2.2) was the second-highest by a workforce towards 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 objective got here right down to luck, Simeone responded: “I don’t imagine in that form of luck, I imagine in scientific ending.
“The primary half was even; maybe they’d extra possession, however there have been few clear-cut possibilities for both facet.
“They’re excellent, they haven’t misplaced a single Champions League match, they’re prime 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 possibilities to win the sport. We simply couldn’t be scientific sufficient in these conditions.”
He’s so good it looks like 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 essentially the most matches throughout all competitions in 2025-26, with either side additionally assembly on the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.
The Gunners gained 4-0 within the league part, although Jan Oblak insisted Atleti won’t dwell on that consequence forward of the second leg.
“It was an intense sport from either side. Either side have been in search of a win, however I believe we had a very good sport, however at 1-1, there’s rather a lot to determine in London subsequent week,” the Atleti goalkeeper informed TNT Sports activities.
“We won’t take into consideration the earlier sport the place we misplaced 4-0 there. I imagine it is going to be a special sport, and we are going to do all the things to get a very good 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 properly, so we have to move them first.”