Madrid is celebrating. The capital of Spain may once again host its Champions League final. On Tuesday, Madrid's "Atletico" lost to Bayern Munich's footballers 1:2 in Germany, but after a 1:0 home victory, they advanced to the Champions League final.
On Wednesday, Madrid's "Real" team will also try to reach the final, facing "Manchester City."
"I gave my whole life to this team. I fought with all my might. Everything. We are not in the final, but I am proud of the team. We played very well. We lacked a goal and I regret that," Jose Guardiola said succinctly.
He failed to fulfill the hopes of the fans. "Bayern" for the third time in a row did not reach the Champions League final, and J. Guardiola will leave to coach the "Manchester City" team in the summer.
J. Guardiola was asked during a press conference if he felt he had achieved his goal in Munich.
"Maybe. I was very happy here. My ambition was to win the Champions League. My job was to help the players play as well as they could and win everything possible. I did everything and I have no regrets," Guardiola said.
Another club to overcome
"Bayern" could have scored a third goal in these matches. Thomas Mueller had the opportunity in the 34th minute but missed the penalty from 11 meters. The only consolation is that Fernando Torres did the same in the 84th minute.
"This season has been incredible, but also very difficult. We surpassed two out of the top three teams in the world, although we had difficulties," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. "In the first half, we saw this powerful Bayern, which pressed a lot, played very quickly and intensely. But we kept up with the best team I have ever seen. Their first half was fantastic."
Bayern led from the 31st minute when Xabi Alonso scored. But Atletico started the second half more aggressively, and in the 54th minute, F. Torres passed the ball to Antoine Griezmann, who equalized the score.
Bayern regained hope in the 74th minute after Robert Lewandowski's goal, but Atletico held on.
"In the second half, we saw completely different matches. They were balanced. We counterattacked well, scored a goal, and were very close to increasing the advantage. The outcome could have been completely different if Th. Mueller had converted the chance. But F. Torres also failed to do so," said D. Simeone.
Disappointed
F. Torres did not hide his disappointment at failing to score, but it did not spoil his mood. He plans to watch the "Real" and "Manchester City" duel but does not feel any difference in who to fight in the final in Milan.
"We have the opportunity to make history. We want to win the tournament, and the opponent does not matter," he said.
Th. Mueller left the match with his head down. Thoughts about the missed opportunity did not dissipate so quickly.
"Sometimes football can be cruel. I am disappointed that I did not score," he said.
Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said: "We were punished with counterattacks. We tried everything, but unfortunately it was not enough. It's a shame that we have to exit after such matches. It is very regrettable that we could not reward ourselves and the coach with a final in three seasons."
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