Atletico Madrid were beaten by Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Champions League and Diego Simeone was reluctant to take part in the usual post-match pleasantries
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 5: Diego Simeone manager of Atlético de Madrid after their sides defeat during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 5, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Diego Simeone tasted semi-final defeat once again(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Dejected Diego Simeone had to be chased down by Mikel Arteta after marching straight onto the pitch after Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League. Simeone's side were beaten 1-0 in their semi-final second leg at the Emirates, extending their wait to finally lift the trophy.
The Argentine was shown a yellow card in stoppage time as tensions boiled over, and he was his typically animated self on the touchline. But when the full-time whistle sounded, Simeone immediately turned his attention to consoling his players.
As Arsenal's players and staff erupted in celebration around him, Simeone walked on and started clapping. The 56-year-old slapped hands with Atletico star Marcos Llorente and did the same with Arsenal's Piero Hincapie and congratulated other Gunners players.
Arteta can then be seen jogging towards Simeone for a belated handshake. The Atletico boss obliged before continuing onto the pitch towards the away end, where he thrusted his arms in an effort to gee up their supporters.
Simeone has been in charge of Atletico since 2011 and has led them to the Champions League semi-final stage on four occasions. They've also lost two finals against arch rivals Real Madrid - in 2014 and 2016.
But it wasn't to be again this year, as Arsenal progressed to the final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain. Simeone reflected post-match: "Well if we got knocked out it's because our opponents deserved to get through, they took their big chance in the first-half and they deserved to get through.
"I feel calm, I feel peaceful. We weren't clinical enough with the situations we were in. We improved in the second-half. There were things that could've gone our way but they didn't.
Diego Simeone and Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta had to chase Diego Simeone down(Image: Movistar)
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"We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we are in. Thanks to our supporters and players I feel proud to be where we are right now.
"I said we wanted to compete and we have done that. Unfortunately we haven't won anything but we have got to places that are hard to get to."
Atletico are on course to finish fourth in La Liga this season, the joint-lowest position they've ever finished after a full campaign under Simeone. Los Rojiblancos recently lost the Copa del Rey final, as they were beaten by Real Sociedad on penalties.