Pep Guardiola praises ‘brilliant’ Atlético after UCL elimination at hands of Real Madrid | OneFootball

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has moved to reveal his appreciation for the efforts of Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, en route to being sent packing from the Champions League in midweek.

Atlético were of course condemned to their latest devastating exit from European competition on Wednesday night.

After welcoming arch rivals Real Madrid to the Metropolitano, the Rojiblancos secured a 1-0 2nd leg victory across 120 minutes, sending the tie to a penalty shootout.

When all was said and done, though, it was the visitors who held their nerve from 12 yards, advancing to the Champions League’s quarter-finals as a result.

This came by way of a controversial sequence of events, which saw Julián Álvarez’s successfully converted spot-kick ruled out by VAR for a double touch of the ball.

And one individual who is evidently of the opinion that Atlético were altogether hard done by comes in the form of the aforementioned Pep Guardiola.

Drawn on this week’s Madrid Derby during his latest press conference on Friday, Spanish tactician Guardiola explained:

“In the Champions League, as was the case with Julián Álvarez and Atlético Madrid, the key is the margins. Can you imagine missing out on the Champions League for that reason?

“Atlético Madrid were brilliant at the Bernabéu, brilliant in their style of play against Real Madrid, who have always been an incredible club in this competition. But look at the decision; you will be judged, season after season, whether good or bad, by those details.”

Conor Laird – GSFN