Champions League: Diaz shut Simeone up as Atletico manager is delighted with Real Madrid misses

The Tuesday’s Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu, which saw Real Madrid emerge as 2-1 victors, had its fair share of needle between the two teams, with the biggest moment occurring between Brahim Diaz and Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone.

Earlier in the week, Simeone was asked during his pre-match press conference about how Real Madrid could line-up without the suspended Jude Bellingham. He gave his thoughts, and made it clear that he did not think Brahim would be counted on by Ancelotti.

“Real Madrid will seek to compensate for that position, I imagine with Camavinga and Luka Modric. There is also the possibility of Brahim, but I don’t think so. There is a pattern that repeats itself.”

In the end, Brahim was given the nod, and he would go on to score the decisive goal that ensured that Real Madrid will take an advantage into next week’s second leg at the Metropolitano. During his celebration, he furiously confronted Simeone, clearly showing that he remembered the words from earlier in the week, with the exchange being picked up by the Movistar+ cameras.

“Speak now! Speak now! Speak now! You spoke yesterday! Speak now!”

Simeone was asked about the exchange post-match, although he refused to give anything away, stating that he “didn’t see anything”, as per Diario AS.

There is always lots of animosity when Real Madrid and Atleti face off against each other, and Brahim will feel that he has had the last laugh on this occasion. However, the job is only half done for Los Blancos, who must avoid defeat at the Metropolitano next Wednesday if they are to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they would face Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven.

For the return leg, it will be interesting to see whether Brahim retains his place, or whether Jude Bellingham comes straight back into the line-up after suspension.

Meanwhile, Simeone said Real Madrid's failure to add a third goal "left the door open" for his team to turn the last 16 tie around in the second leg.

Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior were unable to combine to convert a late third for Real -- in a game which saw visitors Atlético dominate for long periods -- ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano on March 12.

"We ended up competing well," Atlético coach Simeone said in his post-match news conference. "There was just that risk at the end, when they won the ball, with Mbappé and Vinícius to finish it off. The hope, that it wasn't a goal, leaves the door open for what comes next."

"If it was difficult today, imagine how difficult it will be on Wednesday," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "But we have a small advantage. It will be difficult [at the Metropolitano]. Not much will change."

Simeone admitted that a 2-1 defeat for his side "isn't a good result," but said his players "competed well" and would need a "huge effort" in front of their home fans.

Defender José María Giménez went a step further, saying Vinícius had been "totally superior."

Real and Vinícius are both competing for trophies on multiple fronts, as they battle for the La Liga title -- Vinícius currently enjoying a two-point lead -- and a place in the Champions League quarterfinals, while both are also still in the Copa del Rey.

Ancelotti defended the performances of star forwards Mbappé and Vinicius, who both had quiet nights in front of goal, and couldn't score late on.

"Playing against Atlético's defence isn't straightforward," Ancelotti said. "[Mbappé and Vinicius] didn't have many chances. They had one at the end where they could have done better, but they worked hard, and they fought. They didn't show the quality they have, but they have the return leg to do that."

"[Atlético] surprised us a bit today," goalscorer Rodrygo told Movistar. "Usually against them, we're always on the attack, and today they had more of the ball at times. We had to defend, but then we did well in the second half with Brahim's goal.