Atletico Madrid’s coach described his response as natural after he confronted a spectator after Liverpool netted a 92nd-minute decisive goal to overcome his team by a single goal.
The head coach, who was sent off by the referee, claimed he had been subjected to constant insults throughout the match and his emotions reached a peak once Virgil van Dijk scored.
“We are in a place where we don’t have the right to reply or answer back,” Simeone commented. “However, when there are comments directed at us, discriminatory language or insults, we can lose our temper or retaliate. So when we are getting insulted all the game, after the goal, he faced me and verbally attacked me. I am a person, I am human.”
The manager avoided detailing whether the comments were racist, stating: “I am not going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don’t want to delve into that discussion. I must stay in my place. I’m aware what went on behind the dugout. It’s not my job to fix society’s problems in a single interview. I have to live with it.”
It is the fifth time this season that Liverpool have clinched a win with a last-minute strike, providing a perfect gesture to mark manager Arne Slot’s 47th year.
“You’re never 100% sure,” the Liverpool boss admitted, “however, I’m confident that we are so fit that we can make one final effort. What I can assure you, whether we fail to find the net, we will try to keep going. That is the mentality this squad has.”
He added, “It isn’t only be about attitude, but also how fit we are, how thoroughly prepared we are over the recent period that enables us to strive until the end.”
Slot also remarked about marking his birthday on a Champions League fixture for the second year, noting that he hoped to celebrate the following occasion with friends and family.
