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Atlético Madrid 1-0 Arsenal (2-1 aggregate): Post-match comments

An Antoine and three Diegos talked about Atleti’s progression to the Europa League final.

Atletico Madrid v Arsenal FC  - UEFA Europa League Semi Final Second Leg Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Atlético Madrid are off to another European final — this time in the Europa League.

Diego Costa’s goal in first half stoppage time secured a 2-1 aggregate win over Arsenal and set up an intriguing clash with Olympique Marseille in Lyon on May 16. The victory marked Atlético’s 12th straight clean sheet at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano and will give los colchoneros a chance to win the Europa League for the third time since 2010 — and the second time under current coach Diego Simeone.

After knocking out Arsène Wenger’s men, Simeone, Costa, Diego Godín and Antoine Griezmann shared their thoughts on an emotional night in Madrid.

Diego Simeone

On the work that has helped Atlético reach a fourth European final since 2012:

“I am only the visible head of a group that has been working in an extraordinary way for six years.”

On A Stadium Called Wanda’s first big European night:

“Stadiums become fortresses through important triumphs. Today, I felt what the fan feels. It’s an extraordinary stadium...this was one of the first pages we have written in the Metropolitano.”

On Costa’s goal and performance:

“Costa came for this: to be important to the team, to be decisive, to be a striker with rage.”

On the final against Marseille:

“Marseille are a complicated team, a fast team. It will be a great final.”

Diego Costa

On the fan support:

“We knew that the supporters were going to act as one more [player] in our home. They’re always with us. It shows on the field, it’s a bonus.”

On the importance of the final:

“It was very important to reach the final. Atlético need it because we’re a big club.”

On his 83rd minute substitution:

“I only have cramps. Nothing major.”

Diego Godín

On Atlético advancing to a third Europa League final since 2010:

“We knew it was going to be tough. Nobody gifts you anything on the way to a European final. We have to prepare to the death to win it.”

On his role in keeping the clean sheet:

“The work and wear of the entire team is impressive. My job is to defend and maintain order. We managed to keep the clean sheet and progress.”

On the supporters:

“We felt their warmth yesterday, during the match and now. We have the best fanbase in the world. They support us in good times and bad.”

Antoine Griezmann

On Atleti’s approach to the match:

“We knew that we would have to play with long balls and win the second balls. Costa did very well [to hold off Hector] Bellerín and the goalkeeper. Then, we did what Atlético do: suffering and holding onto the 1-0.”

On possibly winning his first major trophy:

“We have to go and win the final, no matter the opponent. We will try to do things right and win the Europa League, a trophy for me...that already excites me.”