Atlético Madrid and Arsenal are set for a decisive Champions League semi-final second leg in London on Tuesday, with the aggregate score tied at 1-1. Both managers, Diego Simeone and Mikel Arteta, are chasing their first European crown.
Simeone has transformed Atlético since 2011, winning two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa, but the Champions League has eluded him. His side lost finals to Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
Arteta praised Simeone as an 'absolute reference point.' The Arsenal boss, a former club captain, took over in 2019, winning an FA Cup and two Community Shields. Despite finishing runner-up in the Premier League for three straight years, major silverware remains missing.
Both teams share a concern: underperforming strikers. Atlético's Julián Álvarez has scored just eight La Liga goals this season, fueling exit rumors. Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres, a €70 million signing, has 14 league goals but struggles in big matches.
In a separate incident, Atlético filed a complaint with UEFA after fireworks were set off outside their London hotel at 1:30 am local time, disturbing the squad.