Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone laments missed chances in derby draw

MADRID – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said his team paid the price for missed opportunities in a heated La Liga derby at Real Madrid on Feb 8, after Kylian Mbappe cancelled out Julian Alvarez's opener for the visiting side in a 1-1 draw.

Atletico were unable to make the most of the chances they created during a dominant start to the game at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“We played a very good first half but we didn’t have the clarity to take advantage of the chances we created,” Simeone told a press conference.

“We could have managed those opportunities better. That led to a draw despite the feeling that in many parts of the game, it looked like we could have won it.

“With them scoring early in the second half, they hit play on the crossbar and played with a higher intensity after that.

“After 20 minutes or so, we got the game a little more in control and had our chances too... It ended in a draw, a match in which maybe both teams were left thinking they deserved more.”

Simeone praised referee Cesar Soto Grado following controversy surrounding the build-up to the derby, after Real Madrid lodged a letter of complaint against the Spanish league’s match officials.

Both sides complained over contentious plays on Feb 8 – Atletico for a studs-up challenge on Pablo Barrios by Dani Ceballos and Real for the penalty that gave Atletico the lead when Aurelien Tchouameni’s foul on Samuel Lino was awarded after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review.

“I thought the referee handled it in the best way he could,” Simeone said.

“For some people, Ceballos deserved a straight red... At least I think he should have checked it in the VAR, but others may disagree...

“He made his decision and that’s his decision to make and VAR crew thought that they didn’t need to call the ref up. In the end, I thought he did a good job overall.”

Alvarez took the penalty, the first given against Real in La Liga this season, and cheekily executed a Panenka.

“I can’t say I wasn’t a bit nervous (with the penalty), but I was sure, I knew what I would do, and it was a great goal for the team,” the Argentinian told Movistar.

“Corruption in the federation,” chanted Real Madrid fans in response to falling behind, buying into their club’s stance.

Real pulled level early in the second half when Rodrygo broke loose on the right of the box and crossed for Jude Bellingham.

The England international’s shot was blocked but Mbappe turned home the rebound, scoring on his first Madrid derby appearance.

“The team is disappointed because they think they deserved more... but we’re happy because we’re still leaders,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“In the second half we had total control, we had a lot of chances.”

Real stayed top of La Liga on 50 points, one ahead of Atletico in second, who missed a chance to leapfrog them. Barcelona, third on 45 points, visited Sevilla on Feb 9 with a chance to close the gap in the title race. That match took place after press time.

Real face another big challenge on Feb 11 when they travel to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League play-off round, first leg. REUTERS, AFP