Atletico Madrid missed out on the Champions League final after a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, yet Diego Simeone stressed that the team had pushed expectations this season. The defeat at Emirates Stadium meant a 2-1 aggregate semi-final exit, adding to a campaign that also saw a Copa del Rey final loss.

Atletico Madrid are on course to end fourth in LaLiga, with no trophies secured, but Simeone insisted that progress has still been made. The head coach highlighted how often his players reached the latter stages in three competitions, stating that these stages are difficult to reach consistently.

“We got knocked out, it’s because our opponents deserved to get through, they took their big chance in the first half, and they deserved to get through. I feel calm, I feel peaceful,” he told UEFA. “We weren’t clinical enough with the situations we were in. We improved in the second half. There were things that could’ve gone our way, but they didn’t. We gave it our all and now we have to accept the place that we are in. Thanks to our supporters and players, I feel proud to be where we are right now. I said we wanted to compete and we have done that. Unfortunately, we haven’t won anything but we have reached places that are hard to reach.”

Arsenal edged the semi-final through Bukayo Saka’s goal in London, where Atletico Madrid struggled to create clear chances. Simeone’s side produced only two efforts on target and finished with 0.53 expected goals, underlining the attacking problems that hurt their hopes of reaching the Champions League final.

This elimination carried extra weight for Atletico Madrid in Champions League and wider European history. Atletico failed to win either leg of a major European semi-final for the first time since the 1998-99 UEFA Cup, when Parma won both games, and only the second time in the European Cup or Champions League after Real Madrid in 1958-59.

Simeone acknowledged questions about what comes next for Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone in the Champions League context, as talk around a possible departure continues. “It gives me a reality, which is the reality of Atletico as a club: It has grown enormously in every aspect, a club recognised throughout Europe and the world in a way it wasn’t before,” he told reporters. “But people want to win; reaching the [semi-final] isn’t enough for them.”

Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone and Champions League stalwarts

Antoine Griezmann played what is expected to be a 128th and final Champions League match, after agreeing to join Orlando City at the end of the season. Simeone called on the fanbase to recognise that contribution and then turned attention to long-serving midfielder Koke and the wider squad effort.

“I hope our fans give Antoine the boost he’s earned in these last few matches,” Simeone said, before hailing another of Atletico’s stalwarts. “Koke was incredible, a masterclass in how to play football at his age. And I’m grateful to the team. When the players give their all, when they compete, we want to win, but it’s not enough.” Griezmann still led Atletico for duels won, taking six of nine, and made four tackles, twice as many as his shot total.

Simeone’s comments left a picture of an Atletico Madrid side still highly competitive in the Champions League, yet short of silverware and under pressure for more success. The coach pointed to the club’s growth and consistent deep runs, while also accepting that many supporters will judge this season mainly by missed chances.