Simeone: Second goal my fault

Diego Simeone has taken responsibility for a potentially decisive second goal Atletico Madrid conceded last night at home to Rubin Kazan.

The defending champions lost the home leg of their Round of 32 Europa League clash with Rubin on Thursday evening 2-0.

With the score at 1-0 entering stoppage time, Coach Simeone sent goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo up for a corner, only to see the Russians break and net a potentially decisive second away goal at the death.

“The decision was mine. I thought the game was almost over and that at 1-1 the game would be closer,” explained El Cholo afterwards.

“Football is a game of risk and we are where we are for taking them. The responsibility is mine and the second goal will force us to get more than one in the second leg.

“We had very clear situations and were outstanding during moments. We lacked the speed to generate more consistent passages of play.

“In the first half we struggled a bit more and in the second we tried several ways that caused them defend well. We had courage and could not solve a game that we could have drawn level in.”

 “It was not a bad start from the team, and the first goal conceded was an isolated play to what else was happening.

“Two defeats in a row? This was not like the other day in Vallecas. We are lacking precision. In the first half we struggled to play and it is true that we did not have the precision we normally do.”

Tags Asenjo Rubin Kazan Simeone
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