‘At half time we had a little spat’: Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann admits he clashed with Diego Simeone during win over Atletico Madrid… but insists the pair patched things up as he praises ‘awesome’ Argentinian
- Leipzig are throught to the Champions League semi-finals after beating Atletico
- Julian Nagelsmann’s side won 2-1 after goals from Dani Olmo and Tyler Adams
- The manager revealed he and Atletico boss Diego Simeone fell out at half time
- But he said the two quickly made up with the Argentinian congratulating him
Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann revealed he clashed with his opposite number Diego Simeone during their 2-1 Champions League quarter-final win over Atletico Madrid.
The Bundesliga side reached their first ever Champions League final thanks to goals from Dani Olmo and Tyler Adams to set up a semi-final against PSG.
But Nagelsmann said tempers flared initially with the fiery Simeone during the match – insisting the ‘spat’ was quickly cleared up as the Argentinian manager praised the German outfit for their victory.
Julian Nagelsmann said he fell out with Diego Simeone but the pair quickly patched things up
Simeone congratulated Nagelsmann after his Atletico side were dumped out by Leipzig
‘Simeone congratulated me afterwards, it was very sincere,’ he said, via Goal. ‘He said it was a great game and a deserved win for us.
‘At half-time we had a little spat, but that wasn’t very serious. He’s just an incredible winner who even wants to win on the way to the dressing room.
‘But that’s not bad, I actually want to point out that I think he’s personality as a coach is awesome. So, everything’s fine.’
The Bundesliga outfit will play in their first ever Champions League semi-final against PSG
Leipzig, who were only formed 11 years ago, will play their semi-final on Tuesday, with Nagelsmann’s exciting team on a high having beating Tottenham in the Round of 16 before overcoming Atletico.
They’ll next be up against the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and Nagelsmann said it was important to take things one game at a time and not get ahead of themselves.
‘I’m not going to say anything about the title. But of course, we do want to reach the final now.
Nagelsmann said the team are not focusing on the final as they prepare to face the French side
‘That’s just normal, I think. If we get there, we can speak about other things.
‘The team as a whole beat Tottenham [in the last 16] before and now Atletico. It’s not about duels between coaches – not against [Jose] Mourinho, not against [Diego] Simeone and now not against [PSG coach Thomas] Tuchel either. It is a team game and the guys did brilliantly today.’
Nagelsmann, who is only in his first season at Leipzig, led the club to a third place finish in the Bundesliga table, securing Champions League once again next season.