Diego Simeone, coach of Atlético de Madrid, lamented the 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 and admitted that his team "could have done more in the two goals" conceded. Despite the unfavorable result, he emphasized that the return leg at home is still to come.

"The result is not good. Clearly, we wanted to draw or win. I leave with the feeling that the team competed well, but we could have done more in the goals we conceded. Now, we must focus on the match against Getafe, and from Sunday, start thinking about the second leg. It will be a tough match, but we play at home and will have our fans' support," the coach said in a press conference at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Simeone acknowledged that Real Madrid's two goals were decisive and that his team could have defended them better. "Those details tilted the tie in their favor," he pointed out, although he was more frustrated with the second goal since "we were controlling the game better, and our sensations were very good."

Regarding the match, he praised the team's reaction after Rodrygo's early goal, highlighting Julián Álvarez's equalizer and Samuel Lino's chance before halftime. "We went into the break feeling good on the pitch," he remarked.

Optimism for the second leg at the Metropolitano

In the second half, Atlético de Madrid maintained control of the game but lacked depth, except for a chance by Rodrigo de Paul, which could have resulted in a goal. "After their second goal, the game changed, and we risked conceding a third. We lost, just like last year in Milan against Inter. Now, we have to make a huge effort on Wednesday to stay in the competition," he stated.

Finally, Simeone remained hopeful for a comeback at the Metropolitano, calling on the fans for support. "That last play gives us hope for what's to come. We will need our fans' energy to turn the tie around," he concluded.