Diego Simeone gives verdict on Manchester United’s performance

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Diego Simeone raced down the touchline at the final whistle after Atletico Madrid sealed a Champions League win at Old Trafford.

It was the same old story for United again, European elimination against a Spanish team for the fifth year running.

Simeone was targeted with missiles from the crowd as he made his way to the tunnel. The United supporters who did throw towards him let themselves and the club down with those acts.

The Atletico boss did not focus on the situation after the match, instead speaking of his pride at Atletico’s display.

He also had some positive words for United under Ralf Rangnick, and believes the interim boss has made the team more competitive.

Simeone told AS: “Manchester competes well since their coach arrived and has improved a lot. They found an Atlético very tough, very difficult.

He also said he spotted the chance to counter United early on in the game, commenting: “At the start of the game I saw that in any counterattack we could hurt [them]”, before adding, “Winning in Manchester is not easy.”

Simeone planned it

The frustrating part about Renan Lodi’s goal on the counter, and Simeone spotting this as an opportunity, was that he warned in his pre-match press conference he would try to do so.

Speaking to AS on Monday night, Simeone said: “We will have the counterattack to take advantage of any mistake they may have.”

Simeone knew United would have lots of possession and they would have to take their chances. Joao Felix’s disallowed goal gave them confidence to push forward more and try and hit the Red Devils on the break.

Minutes later they got their goal, with a swift attacking move culminating in an unmarked Renan Lodi heading in at the backpost.

United had wanted a foul after Anthony Elanga was brought down, and while we can complain at this, Atletico also exploited it ruthlessly, with Diogo Dalot overloaded two on one when the cross came in, with Elanga upfield.

The team should have defended it better, prevented Atletico from getting the ball into the final third and getting the cross in. There is no ‘do-over’ for United, that’s it, the Champions League campaign is over, and chances of participation in the competition next season is looking slim.