Simeone: No Issue With Ronaldo's Champions League Taunt
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says he had no problem with Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League taunt
Diego Simeone has no particular problem with Cristiano Ronaldo's insult towards Atletico Madrid after their defeat of Juventus on Wednesday.
Atleti stunned the Serie A leaders in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, claiming a 2-0 win at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Ronaldo had been heckled by the crowd during the match and responded by holding up his hand to indicate the five Champions Leagues he has won in his career.
The former Real Madrid star went further after the game, telling reporters "I won five Champions Leagues and these guys, zero," as he left the ground.
But when asked for his view, Simeone told a news conference on Saturday: "I understand everything. I'm part of this world and I understand everything that can happen."
Simeone himself caused controversy when he grabbed his groin in celebration after Jose Gimenez opened the scoring in the 78th minute.
The Atleti head coach apologised afterwards, insisting it was an attempt to "show our fans that we have cojones", and he has moved to draw a line under the issue.
"You know I don't look for excuses. Once more, I apologise to the people who clearly felt offended by the gesture from the other day, and also to Juventus," he said."It was a bad expression of what I felt for my players. I say it to bring an end to the issue."
