Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak – ‘We showed Arsenal too much respect, we played afraid’

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak – ‘We showed Arsenal too much respect, we played afraid’

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was critical of his side after their Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal, declaring that they did not do enough to beat the Gunners and make the final. Oblak did also remark that he was proud of the development of the side on the whole, even if he was disappointed with the manner of their exit.

The veteran Slovenian goalkeeper had expressed disappointment that Atletico did not take a lead to the Emirates last week after the first leg, and admitted that his side did not do enough to make the final.

“I feel disappointed, like all the supporters. I am disappointed, sad, we didn’t do enough to be in the final. I don’t have any words honestly. Not a good moment for us. Pretty difficult moment, difficult to accept, but nice to live [experience] it, to regret. We had the opportunity to win, to do it, but we didn’t. All there is to congratulate Arsenal.”

‘We had too much respect for Arsenal, we played afraid’

Oblak had even more harsh criticism for what he saw as Atletico’s timid approach in the first half of both legs, as he told CBS Golazo. Los Colchoneros went into the break behind in both legs, but could not find the equaliser in London.

“In both games, the first half was not good enough. We had too much respect for Arsenal, and we were afraid to play. In the second halves, we did better, but it looks like we always wait for something to happen, to concede a goal, to wake up. But then it was too late today. Many times this season, the game has gone like that, and of course, we’re winning them, but not today. And it was the most important game of the season. We didn’t do our job.”