Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has conceded that his side’s inability to convert chances proved decisive in their UEFA Champions League semi-final exit to Arsenal.
The LaLiga outfit were knocked out on Tuesday night following a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, with Bukayo Saka scoring the only goal of the match.
Having held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Atletico failed to capitalize on their opportunities in the return fixture.
Reacting after the game, Simeone acknowledged Arsenal deserved to progress, pointing to his team’s lack of clinical edge in front of goal.
“Well, if we got knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to get through,” he said.
“They took their big chance in the first half and deserved it. I feel calm and at peace.
“We weren’t clinical enough with the situations we created. We improved after the break, but certain moments didn’t go our way.
“We gave everything, and now we have to accept where we are. We set out to compete, and we did that, even if we didn’t win anything. We reached stages that are difficult to get to.”
