Milan, April 28. (LaPresse) – "It's extraordinary that Atletico are back in the semifinals, their fourth in 14 years. We play against a great team, but we will try with all our strength." This was Diego Simeone, manager of Atlético Madrid, speaking at a press conference on the eve of the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal. "It's not pressure, it's responsibility. Winning the Champions League is a huge goal, something the club has never achieved. It's a football match and, ultimately, it's the players who decide these matches," added the Argentine coach. Captain Koke was with him at the conference: "When match day approaches, you get that nervous feeling in your stomach, like on a first date with a girl you like. There's been nervousness in the days leading up to it, but I'll be calm during the match." On the difference between this semi-final and the previous ones. "We live in the present, there is nothing different. We play against a great team like Arsenal," he added. Finally, Koke, speaking of his hope of saying goodbye to Antoine Griezmann with a Champions League title, said: "It would be incredible if we could say goodbye to him with the Champions League, but the motivation is still very high. This is a team and we play with the goal of reaching the maximum, and the maximum is the Champions League."
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