Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was sent off against Liverpool last month despite previously vowing to improve his touchline behaviour after a match with Arsenal in 2018
Diego Simeone is sent off against Liverpool
Diego Simeone was sent off against Liverpool last month(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Diego Simeone has failed to keep a pledge he made about his behaviour on the touchline when Atletico Madrid took on Arsenal back in 2018. The Spanish club are preparing to lock horns with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium in a crucial Champions League game on Tuesday evening.
Atletico boss Simeone was shown a late red card following an argument with a supporter during Liverpool's 3-2 win at Anfield in September. The 55-year-old is now set to battle Arsenal in the Champions League and he also has a history with the Gunners.
Simeone's only previous encounters with Arsenal came during their Europa League semi-final ties more than seven years ago, which saw the Argentine manager given his marching orders in the opening leg. He was banished from the technical area after only 12 minutes following his persistent complaints over Sime Vrsaljko's early dismissal.
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Even without their manager on the sidelines, Atletico secured a 1-0 triumph in the return fixture to progress to the Europa League final with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline and subsequently claimed the trophy against Marseille. Simeone was forced to watch from afar during the final after receiving a four-match suspension and confessed his ambition to exercise greater restraint with his emotions on the touchline.
"I don't feel good about [my] sending off, although I understand that these things can happen given the speed at which you experience everything that happens on the pitch," Simeone told reporters. "I know I have to improve in this aspect. Anything I can say now cannot serve as a justification."
Yet Simeone displayed his combustible nature once more during Atletico's late defeat to Liverpool last month. Simeone's side found themselves trailing 2-0 after merely six minutes at Anfield but appeared to have salvaged a draw through Marcos Llorente's double. But a dramatic header from Virgil van Dijk triggered wild scenes of celebration amongst the Anfield faithful.
However, in the chaos that followed, Simeone received his marching orders after becoming embroiled in a furious exchange with a Liverpool supporter situated behind the technical area. The manager subsequently explained what had caused the flashpoint.
"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," he said.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was sent off against Arsenal in 2018
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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.
"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.
Diego Simeone argues with an official
Diego Simeone was sent off in Liverpool's 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid
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"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 manager'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."
Arsenal have started their Champions League campaign on a high, securing victories against Athletic Club and Olympiacos. However, they will be mindful of the challenge Atletico Madrid could present, having reached two Champions League finals and clinched the Europa League twice during Simeone's reign.
The Spanish side bounced back from their dramatic loss to Liverpool with a resounding 5-1 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt last month. Meanwhile, Liverpool will hope to return to winning ways against the same German opponent on Wednesday, having lost their last four games in all competitions.