Diego Simeone insists he didn't even notice that Manchester United fans had thrown things at him after Atletico Madrid's Champions League win.
The Argentine masterminded another European triumph as his side won at Old Trafford. The 1-0 success on the night gave the LaLiga champions a 2-1 aggregate win with Renan Lodi grabbing the decisive goal in the first-half.
United attempted to pile the pressure on in the second 45 but Atletico's defence stood firm. As soon as the referee blew for full-time Simeone ran down the touchline towards the tunnel, but was targeted by the home crowd who threw things in his direction.
The 51-year-old was quizzed on the incident but was unaware. He said: "No, when I came off the pitch, I ran because I was happy and I like to enjoy it in the dressing room. So I don’t know what happened. What you just said, all I was thinking about was getting into the changing room to the dressing room, and I was really happy."
He then added on his team's performance, which sent them through to the last eight: "I’m happy. So many people work hard so we can have these moments. It was a brilliant effort from the lads, one of our best games this season. We started with a 5-3-2 then changed to a 5-4-1 with Antoine Griezmann on the right of midfield and Renan Lodi growing more and more on the left.
"Lodi’s doing really well. He had to wait a long time [to get in the side], but football is marvellous because when you train hard and are ready to go, there’s always a chance for you. The defence were brilliant and Jan Oblak helped us remain calm throughout. It was a real team effort."
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Atletico have previously enjoyed Champions League success on English soil. Back in 2014 they beat Jose Mourinho's Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to make the final in Lisbon.
In 2020 they knocked out Liverpool, then the defending champions at Anfield. Atletico scored three extra-time goals to win 3-2 on Merseyside and 4-2 on aggregate.
Ralf Rangnick bemoaned the performance of the official at Old Trafford with the home side feeling aggrieved that a foul was not given in the build up to Atletico's winner. He said: “There were some curious refereeing decisions, I wouldn’t necessarily say decisive – maybe the one they scored. I believe it was a foul on Anthony Elanga, the referee and linesman didn’t see it that way."
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