Atlético de Madrid fell 2-1 to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Far from being pessimistic, Josema Giménez made it clear that the red-and-whites still have much to say in the tie. The Uruguayan center-back analyzed the match with a direct message: Atleti was superior in many phases of the game, but the details made the difference.
Josema Giménez: "We Were Totally Superior with the Ball at Our Feet"
In statements after the match, Giménez did not hide his frustration with the result, but he insisted that Atlético de Madrid deserved a better score. "Well, personally, really upset. After their goal, we played a good match until the second goal. After the second goal, we lost control, we couldn't manage it well, and obviously, they could have even scored a third," he said.
Despite the defeat, the Atlético defender highlighted the team's superiority in building the play. "As I told you before, until the goal, I think we were totally superior to them with the ball at our feet, but well, that's not enough. In the end, they have class, they have quality, and with the same chances, they score," explained Giménez.
The System Change and the Attempted Comeback
Simeone surprised in the final stretch of the match with a system change that Josema Giménez also analyzed. "I didn't ask Cholo why we ended up like that, but from what I saw, I think we wanted to press on the flanks and the sides, where there was a lot of dueling. With the 5-4-1, we tried to load the middle more and break out better. We weren't satisfied with the 2-1, we wanted to tie it."
Despite the attempts, Atlético couldn't equalize the score and ended up conceding to Brahim Díaz's goal in injury time. Looking ahead to the second leg, the Uruguayan center-back made it clear that the team will cling to their fans and the intensity that characterizes Atlético to seek the comeback. "Motivate ourselves for our people and know that it's a final. In the end, we have to try," he noted.
He also wanted to thank the unwavering support of the red-and-white fans at Santiago Bernabéu. "Thank them for how they made us feel today, it really felt like we were playing at home. We could hear our fans all the time, and in the return leg, we're going to need that again."