Embarrassment and historical explosion of Atlético. It could be worse, Simeone thinks

“The opponent’s players were better. We have to improve and see the reality. The numbers in Europe are bad. We scored very little and almost all the teams were better. We ended up where we deserved and now comes a new situation, which is La Liga and the national cup, “said Simeone after Tuesday’s 1-2 defeat against Porto.

At the same time, it all started just fine for the Colchoneros. During the draw, they chose none of the competition’s biggest favorites from the first basket, but Porto. Group B was also completed by struggling Bayer Leverkusen and Belgian winger Brugge. And Atleti also managed the first home duel with the Portuguese club.

But then something happened that apparently no one in the football world had expected. The Madrid team lost to Leverkusen and Brugge, then drew in both games. It was already clear before the final race that he was not going to advance to the LM spring elimination phase. However, Tuesday’s defeat and Leverkusen’s simultaneous draw mean Atlético will not play in any European Cup this season.

“We have to be strong and stick together. I have no doubts that we can do it. I believe in the players, we have to know how to wait”, Simeone assessed the current situation. “I don’t like it when you say we’re at the bottom. It can always get worse, you have to work to be better. The only way out of these situations is to be together,” he added with determination.

But the facts speak for themselves. For the first time in their history, Atlético have lost all three away matches in the Champions League group stage. He hasn’t tasted triumph in the millionaire competition for five duels, which is the longest series since December 2009.

He only scored five points, the lowest number since the 2009/2010 season. Also last year’s quarter-final will not play in the spring part of the European Cups for the first time since 2010/2011. And as if that weren’t enough, the team from the Spanish capital finished last in the group for the first time in its history.

The fans don’t deserve it

“The others were better at everything. We deservedly finished last. Europe is behind us, La Liga is not and we hope to improve”, believes the coach, who is becoming more and more a thorn in the side of fans and experts. Atlético have not presented themselves for some time with an attractive style of play, but this time the efficiency of the defensive system, valid at other times, also disappeared.

“We have to work, shut our mouths and fight – roars the forward Antoine Griezmann. Then he showed his support to the coach Simeone -. We are proud to work for him and play for this club, but we have to prove it on the pitch.” “I have nothing to say to the fans, just thank you for their loyalty at home and away. They don’t deserve it,” realizes the French international.

In the end, Porto advanced from first place, Bruges also surprisingly won the elimination round. Leverkusen, with Czech representatives Patrik Schick and Adam Hložek, are heading to the Europa League, which for the club may mean at least a small patch to their hitherto threatening performance in the domestic Bundesliga.