Simeone Clashes After Van Dijk Late Winner
Simeone Clashes with Fans After Late Liverpool Winner, Urges Action Against Abuse
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone confronted supporters behind his dugout after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scored a 92nd-minute winner, handing the Reds a dramatic 3-2 victory in their Champions League opener.
Simeone admitted his reaction was wrong but called for more support for managers facing abuse, comparing it to campaigns aimed at eradicating racism from football.
“In the same way we fight against racism, we should address this too,” Simeone said. “Managers don’t have the right to respond, and it’s not easy to be insulted for an entire match. My reaction isn’t justifiable, but do you know what it’s like to be insulted for 90 minutes?”
He added that he hopes Liverpool identifies those responsible for the abuse so consequences can follow. “There were insults and gestures throughout the match. I have to stay calm and endure it because that’s my role,” he said.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, meanwhile, praised the match itself and the resilience of his players. His side has now won all five of their opening Premier League and Champions League games with goals scored after the 80th minute.
“It’s not just mentality—it’s also our fitness and preparation that allows us to push until the very end,” Slot said.
However, the Dutch coach admitted he was “disappointed” to rely on another late winner, despite Liverpool’s new-look attack, which featured a first start for British transfer record signing Alexander Isak.
“This is what the new Champions League format is about—a first game that could feel like a quarter-final or semi-final,” Slot said. “But this game shouldn’t have needed a late winner. We had so many good chances to score earlier, yet we found a way to win.”
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