Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Real Madrid, Champions League, Atletico Madrid, Brahim Diaz, Diego Simeone, Fan Reactions
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Real Madrid, Champions League, Atletico Madrid, Brahim Diaz, Diego Simeone, Fan Reactions
Brahim Diaz confronted Diego Simeone after scoring a second-half winner for Real Madrid in their Champions League last 16 clash against Atletico Madrid – and he didn't hold back.
Los Blancos hold a slender advantage going into next week's second leg at the Metropolitano as goals from Rodrygo and Diaz sealed a hard-fought 2-1 win over their local rivals.
Julian Alvarez hit Lionel Messi's iconic celebration at the Bernabeu after levelling the scores but with 55 minutes on the clock, Diaz restored the home side's lead before jumping into the crowd to celebrate.
Moments later, the Morocco international ran over to the touchline to confront Diego Simeone.
Advert
In the build-up to Tuesday's game, the Argentine manager was asked how Real Madrid could line-up without the suspended Jude Bellingham – and clearly his answer left a bitter taste in Diaz's mouth.
“Real Madrid will seek to compensate for that position, I imagine with Camavinga and Luka Modric," he told reporters. "There is also the possibility of Brahim, but I don’t think so. Obviously, there is a pattern that repeats itself.”
After the pre-match comments, the 25-year-old responded on the pitch with some remarks of his own. As per Spanish publication Sport, a visibly upset Diaz approached Simeone and said: “Speak now! Speak now! Speak now! You spoke yesterday! Speak now!”
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.
One said: "Simeone said yesterday in a press conference that he did not believe Brahim would play today. And Brahim Díaz responded to this after scoring a great goal. Absolute genius, on and off the field."
A second wrote: "Why was he that rattled by that? Doesn’t mean he thinks he isn’t good but more what he thinks Ancelotti will do."
A third commented: "Hardly an offensive statement by Simeone though," and a fourth said: "How does one even take that personally."
A fifth added: "What is he rattled here for, Simeone said nothing wrong/disrespectful to him here."
After the full-time whistle, Simeone was asked about the incident. "I didn't see anything," he replied.
Atletico will host Real for the second leg on March 12 as Carlo Ancelotti's attempt to defend their title. Can they go all the way this season? Let us know in the comments.