Simeone said, “It is a learning curve. We just need to keep improving. I thought we competed really well to begin with.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone, on Tuesday night, paid a compliment to Arsenal, saying they are the best team his players have faced this season.
He made the comments after the Gunners defeated the La Liga club 4-0 in a Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium.
The European clash was goalless at half-time, but Arsenal scored four goals in 13 second-half minutes to pull well clear of Atletico.
Mikel Arteta’s men opened the scoring in the 56th minute after Gabriel Magalhaes headed home Declan Rice’s inviting cross.
The North London club then doubled their advantage less than ten minutes later when Gabriel Martinelli scored from an assist by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
ALSO READ: Atletico Madrid lodge UEFA complaint over lack of ‘hot water’ at Emirates
Already in control of the game, Viktor Gyokeres subsequently capped off a brilliant night for the Gunners with a brace to complete the 4-0 rout.
Asked after the encounter if Arsenal are the best team Atletico Madrid have played this season, Simeone told Amazon Prime through a translator: “Yes, I would say the best team we have faced this season.
“They compete so well, their players run and run and they have quality all over the pitch. They deserved to win today and I want to congratulate them.
“It is a learning curve. We just need to keep improving. I thought we competed really well to begin with. From 60 minutes they were the better team and deserved to win.
“We have to put this behind us now and we need to focus in training on the things that went right and we need to make improvements as well.”
