Diego Simeone was more stunned than anyone when Lazio held Atletico Madrid in stoppages with a goalkeeper’s header and tells fans their banner ‘touched my heart.’
The Colchoneros are well known as one of the most clinical teams in Europe and Simeone’s tactical approach is practically the opposite to his Lazio colleague Maurizio Sarri.
They took the lead against the run of play in this Champions League fixture thanks to a big Daichi Kamada deflection off the Pablo Barrio effort that wrong-footed Ivan Provedel.
“It was a good performance, Lazio played better with the ball, because they need the ball at their feet to hurt us. They had some chances, we were certainly lucky on our goal, but after that we played well,” Simeone told Sky Sport Italia.
“We closed everything up in the second half, they did not have good chances, whereas we had three with Morata, Lino and Griezmann, but didn’t kill off the game.”
It was a dramatic finale, because goalkeeper Provedel went up for the final corner in stoppages and got the equaliser with a glancing header on the Luis Alberto cross.
“It seemed to be over with a free kick for us on Correa, but instead the referee gave it to Lazio. It was a great goal, especially when scored by a goalkeeper.”
Atleti started out with a 3-5-2 formation, but got more and more defensive after taking the lead with that deflected effort, moving to a 4-5-1.
“I think we were much calmer on the ball in the second half. We already felt a little calmer after taking the lead, giving the central midfielders more time. I leave with a positive sensation, it is a difficult stadium against a team that plays good football, we were only pegged back at the very end.”
Simeone is a former Lazio player and was genuinely moved when he saw the banner from fans before kick-off assuring this will ‘always be your home.’
“The fans are incredible, I felt so much emotion at the start of the game, but also just walking into the stadium. I have this affection that will never die. The banner was beautiful, it touched my heart.”
Simeone was also asked in his press conference if he would like to one day be the coach of Lazio.
“I always say, I’d love to rediscover the old sensations I had here, but as a coach. Now there is Sarri, who is a great coach, and I am having a long journey with Atletico.”
Elsewhere in the group, Feyenoord beat nine-man Celtic 2-0.