Relaxed Simeone hopes Atlético ‘composure’ is decisive against Arsenal

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Diego Simeone, Head Coach of Atletico de Madrid, speaks to the media during the press conference on day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images) | Getty Images Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone was in a relaxed mood as he addressed the media at the Emirates Stadium in North London on Monday evening ahead of the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg. Asked if the locker room was feeling the pressure, Simeone said “no, I think I notice that you guys are always looking, obviously, for some headline, some quote that stands out from the ordinary ahead of a semifinal, and the reality is that both the players and the coaches just want the match to start and be played, because it’s nothing more than a football match, and whoever plays better will have a better chance of winning.

“Within that, each team has our own strengths, and we’ll do our thing to try to make the most of our strengths, and I’m sure the Arsenal coach will try to maximize theirs,” Simeone astutely said. Diego Simeone and Antoine Griezmann in what could be their final press conference together, depending on what happens tomorrow. It’s been an absolute pleasure.

❤️🤍 pic. twitter. com/D46iPc30JR — Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) May 4, 2026 Diego Simeone on the role of coaches in this tie “No matter how much we coaches mull things over, it’s clear that football is all about the players, and we need to manage their emotions in the best possible way so they can approach the game in the best possible state.

Afterward, we can mull over this idea or that idea, but the match changes the moment it starts. So, I think experience and time give you more composure, not passivity, but composure, and, obviously, the peace of mind to face a match like the one we’re facing tomorrow. ” Simeone on the second half of the first leg “I’m going to try to tell the team to play like they did in the second half.