Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has shared his thoughts on the incident that unfolded during the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano last night.
The match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid saw some tense moments, especially after Real Madrid took the lead. Following the goal, things spiralled out of control in the stadium, with objects being thrown from the stands toward Thibaut Courtois.
This prompted the referee to pause the game for several minutes to ensure Courtois’ safety. The most heated moment of the night occurred during this pause when Simeone had a confrontation with Courtois.
After the game, Simeone reflected on the situation and expressed his opinion on what transpired. He did not hesitate to point out Courtois’ role in the escalation, highlighting how the actions on the pitch could fuel the crowd’s reactions.
Simeone’s take on Courtois
Simeone acknowledged that while the fans throwing objects was unacceptable, there was also a responsibility on the players and coaches.
Simeone mentioned that similar events had happened in the past, even recalling a time when Courtois, while playing for Atletico Madrid, was struck by a lighter at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“We all have to help. The people who threw those lighters, as also happened at the Bernabeu when Courtois was our player and he received a lighter on his head, are not doing well,” he told DAZN.
“But we, the protagonists, probably don’t help either when we underestimate people, we burden people, we provoke people and people get angry.”
The Atletico boss stressed that players, being in the spotlight, must maintain composure and act responsibly. He noted that while celebrating a goal is natural, doing so by antagonising the fans, making gestures, or provoking reactions is not the right approach.
“People have no other way of doing it, in a bad way, which is not right, but we also have to see the place of the protagonist that we have, try to remain calm, understand the situations,”
Simeone made it clear that while the crowd’s behaviour was wrong, the initial actions that led to the tension were also unjustified. Both sides, according to him, share some responsibility for maintaining the calm during such intense moments.
“You can celebrate a goal, but you can’t celebrate it by looking at the stands, pointing at them and making faces at them, because then people get angry.
“It’s not justified, but neither is what started out justified because otherwise, we’re always the victim,” he concluded.
