Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was sent off after Liverpool scored an injury-time winner through Virgil van Dijk
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Diego Simeone, Manager / Head Coach of Atletico Madrid is restrained as he confronts fans after the late Liverpool winning goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Diego Simeone is restrained as he confronts fans after the late Liverpool winning goal against his Atletico Madrid side
(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Diego Simeone has called for Liverpool to take action against the supporter who provoked the Atletico Madrid boss into a red card during a dramatic Champions League finale. Simeone was sent off by referee Maurizio Mariani after becoming embroiled in an argument with the crowd in the wake of Virgil van Dijk’s injury-time header that earned the Reds a 3-2 win at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Stewards were forced to intervene during the flashpoint, with Simeone eventually being ushered down the tunnel after confronting the fourth official.
And when asked about the incident, the Atletico boss said: “They always talk about taking care of each other, but they insult you throughout the entire match and you can't say anything because you're the manager.
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“My reaction was unjustifiable, but do you know what it's like to be insulted for 90 minutes, to turn around after the opponent scores and still be insulted? It's not that easy.”
Simeone added: “(The referee told me) he understood me. I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.
“There were insults throughout the match, including gestures. It's clear that I'm the one who has to stay calm, I have to put up with the insults, the gestures and any situation. Because I'm in a position where I have to put up with it.
“I’m not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don’t want to get involved in that. I have got to stay in my place, I know what went on behind the manger’s bench.
“I can’t solve society’s problem in one press conference. I have to live with it as it exists all over the place all of the time.”
The Reds had raced into a two-goal lead inside six minutes with goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, only for Marcos Llorente – who scored twice here in Atletico’s 3-2 win in 2020 – to again net a brace.
And of the game, Simeone said: “The first goal was a bit fortunate for them, it helped them pick up the initiative. Our opponent dominated after the first goal.
“After 15-20 minutes we started to show we were in the game with a chance.
“We began to get into their half a little bit and created situations on goal. It was more of a game that was taking place in their half, more even.
“We started really well in the second half. It was a very hard-fought second half. We were always looking for an opportunity, trying to find a space.”
Simeone added: “We showed fight and reacted well from 2-0 down. But the last few minutes, the team was pushed back further and further and the legs started to suffer and you are tired by that time.
“They had corner after corner and they scored a massive header, a great, great goal from Virgil van Dijk.
“Liverpool are a great opponent, so congratulations to them. I think we showed real spirit, the spirit of Atletico Madrid.”