Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admitted he regrets his clash with Liverpool supporters after their dramatic Champions League opener at Anfield. He insisted, however, that the incident stemmed from insults directed at him throughout the game.
Tensions rise after last-minute goal
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scored a 92nd-minute winner to secure a 3-2 victory. Simeone reacted after appearing to be provoked by a small group of home fans. He approached the fourth official while stewards positioned themselves between him and the supporters.
The Argentine coach had to be pulled away and continued protesting before the referee sent him off. Simeone then walked down the tunnel, visibly frustrated by the situation.
Simeone acknowledges his reaction
In the post-match news conference, the 55-year-old said: “I regret the part I played. We have no right to react, and it is never good when we do.”
He stressed that he felt provoked by insults throughout the match. “We are in a position where we set the standard. Just as we fight against racism, we could also address insults aimed at managers during games,” he explained.
Struggling with constant provocation
Simeone described the challenge of handling ongoing insults. “It is not easy to be in our position and endure abuse for the entire game,” he said. He recalled watching the third goal and continuing to face verbal attacks.
When asked about the nature of the insults, he added: “I cannot remember exactly. I do not want to dwell on it. I must maintain my position and know how to withstand everything in front of the dugout. I cannot fix society, and managers everywhere must live with this.”
He admitted his reaction was not justifiable but asked for understanding. “Do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes? I hope Liverpool addresses this, and that whoever is responsible faces consequences,” he said.
A dramatic match from start to finish
The confrontation followed a thrilling game. Liverpool opened with two early goals inside six minutes, scored by Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. Atletico fought back as Marcos Llorente netted twice to level the match.
Despite Atletico’s comeback, Liverpool rallied to score a decisive third goal. Van Dijk’s powerful header sealed the victory, leaving the Spanish side and their manager frustrated at the final whistle.
