Key figures from both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have shared their perspectives following a high-stakes UEFA Champions League quarter-final decider that saw the Madrid side advance despite a 2-1 second-leg loss. In a night of fluctuating fortunes at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the visitors secured the victory on the night through strikes from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, but the hosts maintained their overall advantage. Thanks to a 2-0 cushion from the opening leg in Catalonia and a vital response from Ademola Lookman on Tuesday, Atletico secured their semi-final berth with a 3-2 aggregate score.
The atmosphere in the Atletico camp was one of relief and jubilation, as the squad reflected on their resilience against a formidable opponent. Club captain Koke emphasized the magnitude of the victory during his post-match comments, acknowledging the early pressure his side endured.
“We are absolutely thrilled, eliminating a team of Barça’s level. We struggled at the beginning, but the team overcame it. The effort was enormous, and we are deserved winners of the tie,” Koke told Movistar+.
French international Antoine Griezmann echoed these sentiments, though he was quick to take personal accountability for a lapse in concentration that led to Barcelona’s second goal. He praised the collective spirit of the team and the supporters for helping them weather the storm.
“I’m very happy. Two mistakes can cost you dearly in games like this. I lost the ball on the second [goal] – I was out of position. In the end, thanks to our fans and our quality, we were able to score the goal,” Griezmann admitted.
On the losing side, the mood was more bittersweet. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong expressed pride in the performance of the youthful Barcelona squad, suggesting that despite their exit, the club’s trajectory remains upward.
“We played a very good match. We gave it our all. I have the feeling that luck wasn’t on our side. We’re growing, and we have a young, talented team that can compete for everything. We’re going to keep going like this,” de Jong noted.
Ademola Lookman, whose goal effectively sealed the aggregate victory, highlighted the grit required to stay in the contest after falling behind by two goals. He noted that while the result on the night was disappointing, the ultimate objective had been achieved.
“Going 2-0 down [was tough]. A game of two halves, really, we stuck in there, we dug in. We didn’t get the win tonight, but we’re through to the semi-finals,” Lookman told TNT Sports.
