Simeone made this remark on Tuesday night, May 5, in his post-match conference in London.
“If we got knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to get through. They took their big chance in the first half, and that made the difference,” he said.
The Argentine coach remained composed despite the disappointment, “I feel calm and peaceful. We competed, but we weren’t clinical enough in key moments,” he added.
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Reflecting on the performance, Simeone admitted his side failed to capitalise on opportunities, particularly in the first half.
“We improved after the break, and there were moments that could have gone our way, but they didn’t,” he noted.
The Spanish side was eliminated after a narrow defeat at the Emirates Stadium, where a first-half strike from Bukayo Saka proved decisive.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg where both teams scored from penalties, the second leg offered both teams a chance to secure a place in the final.
However, Arsenal made their moment count early on, with Saka’s goal separating the two sides.
