The Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid was marred by a controversial penalty decision, leaving both managers dissatisfied even after the final whistle.
Diego Simeone gives his opinion on the controversial penalty decision in Madrid (Image: Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalty controversy that marred the Spanish team’s Champions League match against Arsenal. Three spot kicks were awarded at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night.
In the first match, the Premier League side were awarded a penalty after Victor Gokeres was brought down, and the Swedish striker scored. Atleti then took the lead when Julian Alvarez scored from 12 yards after an apparent handball from Ben White.
Arsenal thought they had been awarded their second penalty of the game after David Hanko stood on Ebelesi Eze’s feet. However, referee Danny McCarey changed his mind after watching multiple replays in the VAR booth.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was furious at the decision. After the match, the Spaniard said: “I went into the locker room and talked to the players and watched the second penalty with understanding, but it was overturned and I was very disappointed and frustrated because it was against the rules and I don’t understand it. I’m very, very upset because this changed the course of the tie.”
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Atleti coach Simeone gave his thoughts on the decision. “In my opinion, the first penalty was a contact from behind and the player expected the contact and went down. In the Champions League semi-finals, we need a real penalty.”
“The referee understood that it was. Another time, thanks to VAR, he understood that it was a penalty because the first time it was not a handball, but the second time, also thanks to VAR, it was not a penalty.”
“Sometimes VAR gives you the benefit of the doubt, sometimes it takes it away.”
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid will resume their rivalry next week with a second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Coach Simeone sent a passionate message to the team ahead of the match.
Diego Simeone gives his verdict on Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
He added: “I rarely remember this atmosphere at the start of a game. It was great, great and a gift to the team. “The first half was calmer, we had one chance for Julián and one for them.
“We made more adjustments in the second half, but you could see they were tired because they had played so many games, having to win the Premier League and the Champions League.
“We could have taken the lead in the second half, but the goalkeeper made a good save and Griezmann’s goal was saved by the defenders. “We have an extraordinary challenge ahead of us. London, home to Arsenal. We will give our all.”
Simeone was involved in an accident after the match, when he appeared to have collided with Arsenal defender White.
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