‘Thank you mothers ... for big balls’

MOVE over, Jose Mourinho, the hottest young coaching talent in world football is on centre stage.

After Atletico Madrid won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to move to its first European Cup final in 40 years - against city rivals Real Madird, no less - Diego Simeone, who has overseen a remarkable revolution at Vincente Calderon Stadium, hailed his side’s tenacity.

“It was a beautiful, important moment, but what makes me happier is to reach the final for the people who paid a lot of money to come here,” he told Canal Plus. “The reaction of the team will remain in the memories of the fans.

“I want to thank the mothers of these players for giving birth to them with balls that big. It’s not only about running, but being good tactically.

“Our first goal was important and the start of the second half was very good. I don’t think it’s an advantage or disadvantage [to face Real]. We know them from the league, they are a powerful club and are accustomed to these situations.”

For all the talk of gamesmanship, tactics, style and Mourinho, the bottom line is the La Liga leaders were too good for the Premier League contenders.

Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone. Source: AFP

A cagey first-half was broken open by Fernando Torres’s opener, but Atletico Madrid snatched the ascendancy in the 44th minute when Eden Hazard switched off from his defensive duties, Juanfran snuck in behind and Adrian Lopez was the beneficiary at the back post.

Crucially, Atletico came out of the blocks in the second-half, leaving Chelsea in its wake.

And at that moment, Simeone took the spoils off Mourinho, knocking the Portuguese out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals - the fourth year on the trot he has fallen at that stage.

The Chelsea bus.... http://ift.tt/1lBcY2j

— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) April 30, 2014

MAD MINUTE

Mourinho assessed: “I think the difference was one minute in the second half, where the Atletico goalkeeper makes an impossible save from John Terry’s header.

“And instead of 2-1 to Chelsea a few seconds later a penalty, which I’m happy people tell me was a penalty. And they scored to go 2-1 up.

“In one minute, two actions decided the game. After that, there was only one team on the pitch.

“My team with pride, honour and professionalism, but after that moment the game was controlled by Atletico, very mature and professional in the way they controlled the game. Complete control.

“That minute was crucial. We had immediately the feeling the game was lost. They had the feeling the game was in their hands, and, after that they were very solid, very mature, a real team. A real team. I knew that before, and I congratulate them now.”

Atletico Madrid players celebrate their win. Source: AFP

MOURINHO EXPOSED?

Atletico’s side bursts with quality. With Diego Costa, Koke, Adan Turan, Juanfran – not to mention the brilliant Thibaut Courtois in goal – they aren’t at the top of La Liga for no reason.

Mourinho has always been hailed when his gambles pay off, but did bringing on Samuel Eto’o so early in the second-half open the game open the game up too early, playing into Atletico’s hands?

Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “He’s usually the king.

“He’s renowned for waiting. Patience. That’ll be the surprise for me coming out of this evening. I thought Chelsea would wait, probably until 10 minutes to go with five minutes of extra time there.

“Be at 1-1 and then think that in that little period they could build some pressure, keep the crowd up into the last part of the game. It was taken away from them in that 15 minute period after the substitution.”

Atletico Madrid's Brazilian-born forward Diego Costa celebrates. Source: AFP

HAZARD CRITICISES TACTICS

If games are decided by details, Hazard’s two defensive lapses were absolutely vital.

But going the other way, there’s been too big a burden on the Belgium to bail Chelsea out with individual brilliance this season.

“Chelsea is not made to play football. We’re good on the counter, a little bit like Real against Bayern,” he told French station IN SPORTS’ .

“I don’t know what we lacked. After scoring, we had the game in our hands. Maybe they wanted it more than we did.

“It was an intense game, beautiful to watch with opportunities. I’m sad but logic has been respected because they deserved to qualify.”

This is what happens when you don't play football......

— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) April 30, 2014

TIME FOR REJUVINATION

Mourinho’s tactics reflected a lack of belief in his side’s attacking ability. When he went for it, it was simply a case of going direct towards Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o.

Expect the purse strings to open over the summer.

“I can’t be critical with the group of players who from day one tried everything.

“We had problems with injuries and suspensions and players who can’t play in Champions League and with difficult moments in the Premier League too this group have had difficult moments but I am proud of them. Obviously it is disappointing to lose the second-leg of a semi-final, especially at home - but I can’t criticise them for a mistake, we did everything possible for us.

“We never really had Atletico in a position where we had an advantage where they had to chase a game, maybe ten minutes, five minutes. But that is football and we have to accept that.”

He added: “Next season will be better than this season.

“We are discussing the Premier League with two matches to go which is an improvement from previous seasons and to arrive in the Champions League after being knocked out in group stage is a step up.

“Hopefully we can bring in a couple of players to improve the team, but I am happy with the players and what they have done - today we did not have happiness in our team, but until the penalty they were not the better team but I congratulate them.”

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