 |
| Atletico Miss Automatic Last-16 Spot, But Simeone Stays Calm: “We’re on the Right Path”. |
Losing at home is never easy. But for Diego Simeone, one defeat isn’t the end of the story. Even after Atletico Madrid stumbled in the Champions League, the message from the coach was clear: there’s no reason to panic.
Atletico Madrid failed to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16, yet head coach Diego Simeone remains confident his team is moving in the right direction.
Los Rojiblancos suffered a 2–1 defeat against Bodo/Glimt in their final league-phase match, a result that left them 14th in the standings. Because of that, Atletico must now go through the play-off round, where they will face either Club Brugge or Galatasaray.
A Promising Start That Slipped Away
Atletico actually started the match well. Alexander Sorloth put the home side in front and gave the fans hope. But Bodo/Glimt responded with real determination, scoring through Fredrik Sjovold before the break and Kasper Hogh in the second half to turn the game around.
This kind of result is rare for Atletico. Over their last eight Champions League campaigns, this was only the second time they opened the scoring at home and still ended up losing. Most of the time, when Atletico score first, they usually get the job done.
Sorloth also made a bit of history on the night, becoming the first Norwegian player to score a Champions League goal against a club from his own country.
Missing Out, But Not Losing Belief
A 1–1 draw against Galatasaray on Matchday 7 meant Atletico picked up just one point from their final two games, which ultimately cost them a direct place in the last 16.
Still, Simeone wasn’t overly bothered by the setback. He pointed to the busy schedule and short recovery time as key factors behind his team’s uneven form.
“The only solution is to keep creating chances, give the players confidence, and push them to keep giving everything,” Simeone said.
The Argentine coach insisted the bigger picture remains positive.
“We’re on the right path. We just have to stay the course, because important moments are still ahead.”
Interestingly, Simeone admitted he felt more frustrated after the Galatasaray match than after the loss to Bodo/Glimt.
“Honestly, I was more disappointed against Galatasaray. We played a great game and deserved to win.”
Looking Ahead With Confidence
Simeone also highlighted the effort shown by his players, who had played just three days earlier before this match.
“The players gave it all, and I have no complaints. With humility and belief in our work, the results will come.”
Atletico Madrid may have missed out on automatic qualification, but the mood inside the camp remains calm and confident. With Simeone standing firm and the knockout rounds approaching, Atletico know the road is tougher—but far from over.