Simeone: Atlético were better than Arsenal in UCL semifinal first leg

TL;DR

Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone claimed his team was better than Arsenal despite a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg. He expressed concerns over a controversial penalty decision and shared updates on player injuries.

Key points

Diego Simeone claims Atlético was better than Arsenal
Match ended in a 1-1 draw in the UCL semifinal first leg
Simeone criticized the controversial penalty decision
Julián Alvarez and other players have injury concerns

Mentioned in this story

Diego SimeoneJulián AlvarezGriezmannLookmanGiulianoSørlothHincapié

Atlético MadridArsenal

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone reacts after the referee cancels the penalty awarded to Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid. Picture date: Wednesday April 29, 2026. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone reflected on refereeing controversies and went on to insist that his side was the better team after a 1-1 tie in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal against Arsenal. Asked about the penalty awarded against Atlético in the first half, Simeone said, “to award a penalty, it truly has to be a penalty. “The contact seemed minimal to me in the first half, and we’re in the Champions League semifinals,” Simeone said.

Diego Simeone on Julián Alvarez’s injury

“He’ll undergo tests. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious.”

Simeone on whether he’s optimistic about the second leg

“I’m always optimistic.”

Simeone on injuries

“Giuliano had a collision with Hincapié, just a knock. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious. Sørloth said his leg was bothering him (during warm-ups), so we took it easy on him to avoid overworking him ahead of the second leg.”