Real Madrid match-winner hits back at Diego Simeone – ‘Speak now’ | OneFootball

The tensions ran high at Santiago Bernabeu last night as Atletico Madrid locked horns with Real Madrid for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.

Los Blancos dominated the proceedings on the night better than they would have hoped and were helped by their opponent’s day off in attack. In the end, they took a 2-1 lead on aggregate ahead of the decisive second leg next week.

Of all the Real Madrid forwards on the night, it was Brahim Diaz who shone the brightest as he not only pulled the strings in the final third but also scored a classy solo goal to provide the winner.

Diaz’s burst of emotion

The Moroccan international is one of the Real Madrid players who has had to endure several hardships before earning the prominence he has this season. Needless to say, he is still not given the recognition he deserves by many.

Brahim Diaz scored the winner for Real Madrid. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Diego Simeone was one such manager who did not give him enough credit when asked if Diaz could create complications against Atletico Madrid as Jude Bellingham’s replacement.

“I don’t think Brahim will start tomorrow,” the Atletico Madrid coach told ahead of the game.

As revealed by Movistar, Diaz did not hold back in hitting back at Simeone after scoring his goal against the Colchoneros and thus commanded the respect that he deserved.

“Speak now, you spoke yesterday, speak now,” he said.

Playing as Bellingham’s replacement, Diaz scored one goal, completed 94% of his passes and racked up 76 touches of the ball.

He even provided one key pass, completed 100% of long balls attempted and had 14 defensive actions to his name. It will be interesting to see if Ancelotti opts to deploy him once again at Civitas Metropolitano or places him back on the bench.