Diego Simeone: "We made history at the Metropolitano"
Diego Simeone was delighted Atlético de Madrid made history at the Wanda Metropolitano with their win against Arsenal.
Atlético de Madrid coach Diego Simeone revelled in his team's historic win over Arsenal in the Europa League semi-finals. A Diego Costa goal handed Atlético a 1-0 victory in the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, sealing a 2-1 aggregate success on Thursday.
Another European final date for Atleti
Simeone, serving a touchline ban, was delighted his team delivered at their new stadium, the two-time winners reaching the final of the competition for the third time in a nine-year spell that has also yielded two Champions League finals.
"History is made in these kind of games and stadiums need to be fortresses and they are so with big games and big wins like this," he said, via UEFA. "I felt how the atmosphere was. The fans were with us every step of the way, they knew the side needed them and it's one of the first pages we've written in the history of the Metropolitano."
Olympique de Marseille await
Simeone watched from the stands after being sent off in the first leg at Emirates Stadium, where his 10-man team managed to claim a 1-1 draw. The Argentinian was thrilled to see his side secure a spot in the final, with Olympique de Marseille awaiting in Lyon on 16 May.
"We are delighted to be there in the final, we've wanted to be back in a final ever since the last one we reached," said the 48-year-old. "The side responded so well last week, they suffered, [goalkeeper Jan] Oblak had a great game – but that's what happens on these big nights, big players stand up to be counted and the team were up there with him at that level. We worked well this week and we felt good going into tonight."