‘Football can be cruel’ – Koke responds to Atlético’s Champions League exit | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid captain Koke has this evening spoken out over the club’s exit from the Champions League.

Atléti, of course, are fresh off seeing their European adventure for the season brought to an end.

After making the trip to Germany for the 2nd leg of their quarter-final showdown with Borussia Dortmund, Diego Simeone’s troops were ultimately put to the sword by four goals to two.

This gave rise to a 5-4 aggregate result, ensuring that it was Dortmund who marched on to the final-4 of the Champions League.

With as much having ended any remaining hopes on the part of Atlético of clinching silverware this season, it should in turn come as little surprise to hear of the mood in the Rojiblancos camp being a somber one on Tuesday night.

Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle at Signal Iduna Park, club captain Koke was therefore drawn on what exactly went wrong for his side over the course of the tie.

And the all-action midfielder went on to point towards missed chances proving costly:

“Football can be so cruel sometimes. When you don’t take advantage of your chances, especially in the Champions League, this happens.”

Koke continued:

“To the fans, we say thank you for coming. It hurts us as much as it hurts them not to advance, but when the team gives everything, has chances, fights, and doesn’t achieve victory, there’s nothing to blame. We appreciate the effort they make. We will keep trying.”

Conor Laird | GSFN