Atletico Madrid captain Koke was “really gutted” after their Champions League semi-final exit to Arsenal on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone’s side lost 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium after Bukayo Saka’s winner, which secured a 2-1 aggregate win for the Gunners.
Atleti failed to win either leg of a major European semi-final for the first time since 1998-99 in the UEFA Cup (L2 v Parma), and for just the second time in the European Cup/Champions League, after losing both legs versus Real Madrid in 1958-59.
They have also been eliminated in their last two semi-finals in the Champions League (v Madrid in 2016-17), having advanced in their first two in the competition (v Chelsea in 2013-14 and Bayern Munich in 2015-16).
The LaLiga side struggled to create many clear-cut chances in the second leg, producing just 0.99 xG and registering two shots on target.
Koke believes Atleti’s poor display in the attacking third proved costly over the two legs, but was proud of his side’s overall performance.
“We’re really gutted, but I’m leaving here proud of the team, we gave it our all,” Koke told Movistar.
Because we’re Atlético de Madrid pic.twitter.com/eu13LQnQxR
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 5, 2026
“We had chances, but the ball just wouldn’t go in; the same thing happened in the first leg.
“We had them on the ropes at many points, but football is about clinical finishing, and they were more clinical. They were deserved winners.
“At the Metropolitano and here, to take the lead and then to tie it up. That’s football; you have to be decisive in both boxes.
“The squad is growing, with very young players, and I’m sure that in the very near future they’ll be competing for major titles, and we’ll try to help them.”
Koke’s current contract with Atleti expires at the end of June, and the Spanish midfielder did not reveal whether he would extend his deal.
When asked about the situation, the Atleti captain responded: “We’ll talk when the time comes.”