'Insulted for 90 minutes non-stop': Simeone unhappy with Anfield crowd after meltdown

 

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admitted his reaction was unjustifiable after being sent off during his side’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. The Argentine was dismissed following a heated exchange with a Liverpool fan in the moments after Virgil van Dijk scored a stoppage-time header to seal the win for the home side. Simeone explained that he had been subjected to verbal abuse for the entire match, claiming he was insulted non-stop for 90 minutes from behind the technical area. While acknowledging that as a coach he must remain calm, he described the situation as highly charged and emotionally difficult to manage.

Speaking to Movistar, Simeone said that although he should not have reacted, fans often provoke managers during the most tense moments of matches. He added that the referee, Maurizio Mariani, told him he understood the situation, though Simeone expressed hope that Liverpool would investigate the incident. Despite the controversy, the Atletico boss praised his team for showing resilience after falling two goals behind inside six minutes and fighting back through a brace from Marcos Llorente.

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Simeone’s dismissal capped a dramatic evening at Anfield. Atletico Madrid endured a disastrous start, conceding twice within the opening six minutes before responding with spirit and determination. Marcos Llorente struck twice to level the contest, and Atletico threatened to pull off an impressive comeback. However, Liverpool pressed for a late winner, and van Dijk’s header in the 92nd minute proved decisive, leaving Atletico with nothing to show for their efforts. Simeone admitted the late goal and the insults from behind his bench proved too much in the heat of the moment, leading to his reaction and subsequent red card.

When asked in his post-match press conference to reveal what exactly was said, Simeone declined, explaining that he did not want to fuel the discussion. He noted that such abuse reflects wider issues in society that managers cannot solve. While accepting responsibility for his conduct, he stressed the difficulty of enduring personal insults throughout an emotionally charged match. Still, he praised his players’ effort, saying their resilience and spirit showed quality, even if the final result left “a bitter taste.”

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