Simeone, Atletico chasing redemption versus Arsenal

After 4-0 loss in the league phase to Arsenal, Atletico will look to set record straight in the semis

- Agence France-Presse

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli during a training session in London on Tuesday.

(AP)

Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone have regularly tasted the sting of disappointment, even in what is the club's golden age. They host Arsenal on Wednesday in the Champions League semifinals chasing redemption after their crushing Copa del Rey final defeat little over a week ago.

Tens of thousands of Atletico fans travelled down to Seville only to go home empty-handed, just as they did in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals against bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Atletico have never won Europe's premier competition, also beaten in their other final appearance in 1974.

They can take a first step towards a fourth final against Mikel Arteta’s side this week, in which they are celebrating the club's 123rd anniversary.

In their first game back home after the Copa final disappointment, on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao, Atletico’s fans gave the team a cold reception. “The fans don’t need messages (from me), what they need is to win,” noted Simeone, Atletico’s most decorated manager, in Seville.

However by the end of the team’s 3-2 victory over Athletic, only their second in the last nine games across all competitions, the mood had lightened.