Image: from SleeperFootballNews X @SleeperFootNews
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Atletico Madrid were left enraged after their controversial Champions League semi-final elimination against Arsenal, with complaints over refereeing decisions, security arrangements and crowd behavior overshadowing the aftermath of the match.
The Spanish side exited the competition following a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, where Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game in the first half.
Manager Diego Simeone and his players were visibly frustrated throughout a tense encounter that featured several disputed incidents and heated moments on the sidelines.
According to reports in Spanish media, Atletico’s anger had already been building before kick-off after the appointment of German referee Daniel Siebert. Atletico have now failed to win any of the four matches involving English clubs officiated by Siebert.
The club also raised concerns regarding VAR official Bastian Dankert, who has reportedly overseen Atletico’s last three Champions League eliminations.
Tensions increased further when Arsenal supporters allegedly launched fireworks outside Atletico’s hotel during the night before the match. Reports in Spain indicate that Atletico officials are considering whether to submit a formal complaint to UEFA regarding the disturbances and other issues surrounding the game.
Additional frustration emerged over the team’s arrival at the stadium, with Atletico’s bus reportedly traveling without a police escort for part of the journey while home supporters gathered outside the Emirates.
On the pitch, Atletico believed they were denied crucial decisions. Early in the second half, Giuliano Simeone appeared close to scoring before falling under pressure from Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes. Referee Siebert waved away appeals, and VAR upheld the decision.
Minutes later, Atletico felt they should have received a penalty after Riccardo Calafiori challenged Antoine Griezmann inside the penalty area. However, officials ruled that Gabriel had been fouled earlier in the sequence.
Atletico were also unhappy with the amount of stoppage time added at the end of the match, believing five minutes was insufficient given the delays throughout the second half.
Late-game incidents involving Gabriel Martinelli and substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga further irritated the visitors, who accused Arsenal of intentionally slowing the tempo during the closing stages.
After the final whistle, Giuliano Simeone posted an image on Instagram showing a challenge involving Calafiori, underlining the squad’s lingering anger over the officiating.
Despite the controversy, Diego Simeone chose not to publicly blame the referees in his post-match remarks.
“I’m not going to get into that,” the Atletico manager said when asked about the Griezmann incident. “We all know it was a foul. We all thought that the referee had got it right. I don’t want to make excuses.”
The result sends Arsenal into the Champions League final, while Atletico are left reflecting on another painful European exit filled with controversy and frustration.