Simeone: "It's a hard blow, we didn't expect it"

MADRID, 27 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Pablo Simeone, recognized as "hard blow" the mathematical elimination of his team in the Champions League, after a draw (2-2) against Bayer Leverkusen that he could change with a penalty in the minute 98.

"It summarizes a little what our game was until today. Everything has cost us. Many of the games that we have not added we could have scored more goals. The final reflection with the penalty, it is stopped by the goalkeeper, the crossbar, hits Carrasco , it marks what this first part of the Champions League was," he said in statements to Movistar Plus, which is collected by Europa Press.

The rojiblanco coach explained the bitterness from the Metropolitano with which Atlético said goodbye to the Champions League, with that penalty that Carrasco had and that the VAR detected when the referee had already whistled for the final. "We are not looking for excuses, we lacked things to do but today the second half was of a high level, with a good game, goal situations, well-resolved counterattacks by Oblak, leaving the whole team behind", he affirmed.

"It annoys you not being able to direct at least the possibility of continuing in the next game with Porto. When the team delivers like today in the second half I feel identified. It's a hard blow, we didn't expect it, we didn't want it, It was not in our plans but it is. There are two ways to continue: either you side with the victim or side with the strong to continue looking to dig where you can, "he added.

On the other hand, the 'Cholo' pointed out that they will go for the Europa League and acknowledged that they missed a good option this season to return to the round of 16. "We have to win in Porto because they will want to win too and Club Brugge will probably lose in Germany. We were left out in a good group to get through. Last year it was difficult for us too", he pointed out, remembering the difficulties in Europe.