Diego Simeone accepts ups and downs of VAR after controversial UEFA Champions League decisions in Atletico Madrid's draw against Arsenal

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Diego Simeone believes that head coaches need to accept the ups and downs of VAR following Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Simeone reacts to controversial penalty decisions: 'Sometimes VAR takes away'

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The European giants played out a controversial stalemate at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night with VAR playing a central role in the Madrid clash.

Viktor Gyokeres had fired The Gunners ahead shortly before the break after David Hancko had bundled the Swede over in the box.

The VAR stuck with the referee's on-field decision and Gyokeres duly dispatched from 12 yards.

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Ten minutes after the restart, Atletico had a penalty of their own when a Marcos Llorente volley bounced off Arsenal defender Ben White's leg and caught the right-back on the left hand.

Simeone and his players could be seen appealing for the decision to go in their favour, with the VAR review determining that a penalty should be awarded.

Julian Alvarez made no mistake from the spot, tucking past David Raya as the Argentine bagged his 10th UEFA Champions League goal of the season, breaking Lionel Messi's Argentine goalscoring record in the process.

No Filter: Behind the scenes as VAR drama denies Arsenal at Atletico

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Arsenal appeared to have earned a second penalty with 10 minutes to play when referee Danny Makkelie pointed the spot after Hancko appeared to clumsily foul Eberechi Eze.

Again, appeals from Simeone and the Atletico players saw the on-field decision go to VAR review and the decision was overturned, robbing Arsenal of the chance of a memorable night in Madrid.

The decision left Mikel Arteta "upset" and "annoyed" but Simeone offered a different view on VAR following the stalemate.

"For the first penalty, in my humble opinion, it's from the back, the player waits for the contact, it seems to me that in the Champions League semi-finals it really needs to be a penalty," Simeone said.

"The handball wasn't a handball [in the on-field decision], because, thanks to VAR, it was a penalty. And the second penalty, thanks to VAR, wasn't a penalty. So, sometimes VAR gives and sometimes VAR takes away."

Oblak says Atletico 'agree' with the referee on controversy

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Goalkeeper Jan Oblak also felt that referee Makkelie made the right call to overturn Arsenal's late penalty.

"It was an intense game from both sides. Both sides were looking for a win but I think we had a good game but at 1-1, there's a lot to decide in London next week," the 33-year-old said.

"There's always relief when a penalty is overturned, I hope I would have stopped it anyway. It was the referee's decision to change it and we agree with him.

"I was close to stopping the first penalty but it was just the power. He hit it with maximum power but it's in the past. We need to focus firstly on the weekend and then to London.

"We will not think about the previous game where we lost 4-0 there. I believe it will be a different game and we will do everything to get a good result and get to the final.

"We don't think about lifting the trophy, first we need to work on the pitch in the second leg. Arsenal want to win the Champions League as well so we need to pass them first."

Atletico 'playing against a great team'

Simeone was also asked whether Arsenal battling for the Premier League with a hectic schedule benefits Atletico.

"No, I don't think so, because have you seen the five players who came in?" he added.

"You saw those five, didn't you? Do you remember the five who came in? Every time one came in, I thought: 'Is it real?' Yes, it was real. They are very good.

Highlights: Night of drama in Madrid as Arsenal claim draw with Atleti

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"They have more than enough to obviously compete as they are doing because, if not, they wouldn't be doing it. They have won 10 matches in the Champions League, they've drawn three. They haven't lost one.

"In the Premier League, they've been fighting to win since the first matchday. We are playing against a great team."

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