Simeone admits considering future after another final defeat

The Argentine indicated his feelings after Atletico failed to win Champions League title for second time in two years

MILAN: Altetico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone was left devastated after another Champions League final defeat at the hands of city rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Argentine indicated his feelings after the loss when he admitted that he could be pushed to think about his future with the two-time Europa League winners.

"I think I could start thinking about my future," Simeone said cryptically.

"It puts a lot of years on you," he added.

Atletico Madrid came to Milan determined to make amends, but Diego Simeone's men were dominated throughout the game at the San Siro stadium.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos opener on 15 minutes took the wind out of Atletico's sails and French striker Antoine Griezmann put them further off course when he slammed a penalty off the underside of the crossbar seconds into the second half.

Despite Yannick Carrasco levelling on 79 minutes, Atletico were undone on penalties after club favourite Juanfran's effort came off the upright, handing Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to secure Real's 11th crown with his subsequent spot kick.

Simeone lauded the opponents for their record extending victory, while the Argentine also undertook responsibility for his side's shortcoming.

"Congratulations to Real Madrid -- once again they were superior to us, this time on penalties," he said.

"What really hurts me is to see the hurt of the people who've paid to come here -- I feel a bit responsible that I wasn't able to give them what they wanted. That's what really hurts.

"I feel responsible for the fans who have bought their tickets."

Atletico have never lifted the Europe's elite club competition, as they lost on both previous outings, first in 1974 against Bayern Munich, and second against Real in 2014.

Zidane hails Real deal

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hailed Spanish giant as the "club of my life" after victory against cross city rivals.

The former Real attacking midfielder, who scored the winning goal when Los Blancos defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to lift the title in Glasgow in 2002, became the first player in the Champions League era, which started in 1996, to win the trophy both as a player and as a manager.

Having been assistant to Carlo Ancelotti when the Italian coaching great steered Real to the 10th -- 'La Decima' -- title in Lisbon two years ago, Zidane got a taste of the trophy for a third time time at the club.



PHOTO: AFP

The 43-year-old said there is now no other club in his heart.

"I was given the chance to come to this amazing club, and then to coach it. I have a phenomenal team and great players who are also talented, and it was together we achieved what we did tonight," he said after the match.

"I've won the Champions League as a player, as an assistant and now as a head coach. I'm so proud to be part of this great club. It's the club of my life, the one that made me who I am.

"Carlo Ancelotti wanted me to experience this feeling, as the number one coach, and he was right. I'm so happy."

In 2014, current Real captain Sergio Ramos levelled at the death to keep Real in the final, before they ran riot in extra-time to prevail 4-1 over Simeone's men.