While Atletico Madrid were largely gracious in defeat to Arsenal in their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night, there were a couple of incidents that threatened that adjective. Diego Simeone may argue that it was one of Arsenal’s staff members that crossed the line in the dying stages.
As the clock ticked down in stoppage time, the tense Simeone caught view of a particularly demonstrative Arsenal staff member. It turned out to be none other than Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s Sporting Director, who had come down to the pitch, and was seen gesticulating widly for the referee to blow the full-time whistle.
🤝🇪🇸🇦🇷 Mikel Arteta: "Diego Simeone? We know each other well. It’s very hard for anyone when you’re so close and it gets taken away from you. I feel in sync with him because I know what it’s like to be on the other side. It happened to me last year." pic.twitter.com/YaN94Xvnui
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) May 5, 2026
Simeone and Berta separated during closing stages
Simeone, upon seeing him, made a B-line for the Italian, and the shoved him. The two had to then be separated by other staff members and the fourth official, with the Argentine picking up a booking in the process. He then protested that he was simply telling him to leave the area. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also picked up a yellow card during stoppage time for his hyperactivity during the closing stages.
As time ticked away, #Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta appeared in the technical area. Only to be pushed away by Diego Simeone.
Berta worked at #AtleticoMadrid alongside Simeone for eight years.pic.twitter.com/Y8h3nKsY2L
— Football España (@footballespana_) May 5, 2026
Berta spent eight years at Atletico Madrid
A layer of intrigue is added to the incident by the fact the pair were long-term colleagues. Berta spent eight years at Atletico Madrid, working alongside Simeone at the Metropolitano. He only left 18 months, joining Arsenal shortly afterwards.
During their time together at the club, there were plenty of rumblings that they did not always see eye-to-eye on players and recruitment, most notably when it came to the club’s record transfer, Joao Felix. Berta was usurped in the hierarchy by Director of Football Carlos Bucero. Since, Mateu Alemany has come in as sporting director, and is believed to be wielding the power, with Simeone, when it comes to signings.
The match was quite interesting but less intense and didn’t really live up to expectations.
Atleti didn’t really offer much forward, as to threaten the Arsenal back line. Neither did Arsenal did that either except for the single incident that led to the goal, a tap in from close range, by Bukayo Saka, reacting quickest to Oblak’s beautiful save.
Atleti did put in some effort to ok get back into the game but it is was not enough , as the only clear chance that came their way was horribly missed by Alexander Sorloth, who miscued his shot at goal ,after the Arsenal defence was open up by a quick counter attack by Atleti.
The rest was sort of a drab affair, as Arsenal did everything to slow down the game by wasting time , and the referree could do nothing about it.
Indeed, on the balance of play, the two teams were evenly matched but only separated by the fortuitous goal scored by Saka, being at the right place at the right time!
Going forward , it is my candid opinion that, it is high time Diego Simeone left Atleti as Manager, in order for the club to reorganise and breath a fresh air.
He has done his best for the club, achieving quite a number of memorable victories in LaLiga, Eufa Cup , Copa del Rey, and getting to the champions league final on two occasions though without success.
That’s a milestone no one can take from him. And, as the new owners of the club take full control of the club next season, he expect him to do the honourable thing to throw in the towel and bow out of the stage with his head held high , at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
Atleti need to start a new chapter with a new manager next season.
That’s the right way to go for the club to move forward with a new dynamic structure geared toward a prosperous future.