Champions League exit is no disaster: Simeone

LONDON — Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone blamed poor finishing for their exit at the Champions League group stage on Tuesday but was adamant that the early departure was “not a disaster” for the Spanish club.

Simeone’s team struggled to score on their travels in this season’s competition, with Saul Niguez’s opener at Chelsea being their only away goal after 0-0 draws at Roma and Qarabag.

“Football is about finishing at the end of the day and it’s clear we’ve not done that in the Champions League this year and have paid the price,” Simeone, who has overseen three wins in Atletico’s last 11 away games in the competition, told reporters.

“We are not looking for excuses. We are responsible for not qualifying from the group. It’s hard to explain.

“It’s not good to be out of the Champions League but there is still a long season ahead and we will be assessed at the end of it. It’s not a disaster. It’s a situation that can happen.” —