Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admitted he overreacted after being sent off following a clash with a Liverpool fan. The incident happened after Liverpool scored a stoppage-time winner in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Atletico had fought back from a two-goal deficit, but Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 92nd minute sealed a 3-2 defeat at Anfield. Simeone was angered by a fan behind the technical area and was sent down the tunnel by referee Maurizio Mariani.
He explained that he had faced insults throughout the match. “There have been insults all match. I have to stay calm and endure gestures and words. I am the coach,” he told Movistar.
Simeone admitted his reaction was not justified. “You don’t know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes. When the opponent scores late, the insults continue. With the tension, what happens is what happens,” he said.
He added that the referee understood the situation and hoped Liverpool would identify the fan. “If they find who did it, there will be consequences,” Simeone said.
When asked about the exact insult, he avoided details. “I won’t get into the exact nature of the insult. I have to stay in my place. I can’t solve society’s problems,” he said.
Simeone praised his team for their fight after conceding twice in the first six minutes. Marcos Llorente scored both Atletico goals. “We were unlucky with the first goal, but the lads showed spirit and quality. Llorente had a great match, and we raised our level,” he said.
He added that the late goal left a bitter taste. “We had the match on the edge until Virgil’s goal. It was bitter, but we showed spirit,” Simeone said.
