Delve into the captivating drama of the Madrid derby in the Copa Del Rey, where the spotlight was seized by the exchanges between Vinicius Jr and Diego Simeone. The last-16 clash in the Copa Del Rey between Atletico and Real Madrid not only showcased the fierce rivalry between these two city giants but also witnessed a heated confrontation between Vinicius Jr and Atletico’s manager, Diego Simeone. The atmosphere at the Wandametroplitano Stadium on Thursday night escalated to a boiling point, resulting in a post-match altercation that required the intervention of numerous players and staff to separate the passionate Brazilian forward from the fiery Argentine manager.
The incident originated from an on-field exchange during the match, where Vinicius Jr made a “seven” gesture towards Simeone with his hands. Simeone responded by mirroring the gesture and appeared to shout something back at the young Brazilian. The heated confrontation at the final whistle epitomized the heightened emotions in this closely contested encounter, contributing another memorable chapter to the historic rivalry between Atletico and Real Madrid.
Post-match, Simeone was questioned about the incident but chose to downplay the heated exchange, stating, “With Vinicius? There’s nothing to comment on. These are things that happen on the pitch.” While both teams undoubtedly left everything on the field, Atletico emerged triumphant with a 4-2 victory, courtesy of goals from Samuel Lino, Alvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann, and Rodrigo Riquelme.
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, acknowledged the game’s intensity as a complete, even, and hard-fought contest against a formidable opponent. Despite departing with a “good feeling,” Ancelotti expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting the unnecessary risks that contributed to their defeat. Consequently, Atletico now eagerly anticipates a home tie with Sevilla in the next round, while Real Madrid reflects on the missed opportunities and valuable lessons learned in this thrilling and emotionally charged Madrid derby.