Diego Simeone has been to Camp Nou 18 times as Atletico Madrid manager. He had never won there. On Wednesday night, in the biggest game of Atletico's season, he finally did.
He kept his response measured, almost deliberately so. "It is true we had never won here at this stadium. It is very difficult to do," he told Movistar. "Football is great because being clinical is key, and today we were extremely clinical." Atletico finished with three shots on target. They scored from two of them. He addressed that directly when asked. "I could tell you a thousand stories about matches where we have had 30 shots and did not score. We were extremely clinical tonight, whereas on other nights we have not been."
On the tactical approach, Simeone was clear. "We defended in an orderly manner so that they could not progress. We knew they play with a high line. We are a team that have hurt them in almost every game we have played against them." His rearguard was asked to hold firm for large spells against the best attacking side in the league. They did.
When Barcelona's complaint about the Pubill handball came up, Simeone was brief and unruffled. "I am far from Cubarsi's action, but VAR calls the referee. Then there is an incredible goal from Julian. In the second half we looked more for the counter-attack." He did not take the bait on the officiating debate.
His warning to his own side was the sharpest part of the night. "I would rather have the advantage, but after the 4-0 in the Copa del Rey we saw how they responded at home. We imagine a difficult and complex match." He knows better than anyone what Barcelona are capable of when the tie is alive and the Camp Nou crowd turns. "It is good result but they are an opponent who will for sure make us suffer on Tuesday."
