Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has apologised for his angry reaction towards Liverpool fans after his side lost 3-2 in a fiery Champions League opener at Anfield.
The Argentine manager lost his cool after Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header sealed victory for the home side. As some Liverpool fans taunted him, Simeone turned to the fourth official to complain before being held back by stewards. He kept protesting and was eventually shown a red card.
Speaking after the game, the 55-year-old admitted he was wrong to react. “Firstly, I regret the part I played. It’s clear we are in a position where we do not have the right to react, and it is not good when we react,” he told reporters.
Still, he insisted he had endured insults for most of the match. “We [managers] are in a position where we are protagonists, so in the same manner that we fight against racism and insults in stadiums today, we could also fight on behalf of the managers, against the insults we receive throughout the whole game,” Simeone said.
“It’s not easy to be in the position we are in and receive insults for the whole game. I saw the third goal go in, I turned, the insults continued, and well, I’m a person,” he added.
When asked what exactly was said, Simeone declined to go into detail. “The truth is, I cannot remember exactly. I don’t want to enter into the situation,” he said.
“My reaction isn’t justifiable, but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes? I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences,” he added.
The drama capped off a thrilling night at Anfield. Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead inside six minutes through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, but Atletico’s Marcos Llorente struck twice to draw level. Just when the visitors thought they had snatched a point, Van Dijk rose highest to power in the winner and send the home crowd wild.
