Champions League semifinal like a first date: Atletico’s Koke

Atletico Madrid captain Koke admitted his nerves are jangling ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal.

The veteran midfielder will lead out the Rojiblancos for the first leg battle against Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders, with Atletico back in the final four of the competition for the first time since 2017.

“When the date draws near, your stomach is in knots, like when you have a first date with the girl you like,” Koke told reporters Tuesday.

“Once you start warming up, it all goes away. You play with the excitement of playing a semi-final.”

Koke, 34, played in both of Atletico’s Champions League final defeats by rivals Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016, with his club desperate to win the trophy for the first time in their history.

Despite his age, Koke said he was not thinking about this potentially being his last chance at winning the trophy.

“I don’t feel it like that -- I’m enjoying this season a huge amount, you don’t get to the Champions League semis every year,” explained Koke.

“I’ve had the luck that this is the fourth semifinal I’ll be able to play... I don’t know if I’ll play another one, but I know that I will enjoy it like I did the others.”

Koke will be without midfield partner Pablo Barrios after a thigh injury ruled him out for the next month.

“It’s not just me who will miss him, but the whole team, he’s a hugely important player for us,” said the Spain international.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone, celebrating his 56th birthday on Tuesday, said he had no special wishes in mind.

“I just have pure gratitude, I have the chance to be with my (family)... I’m not in a position to ask for absolutely anything, just to be thankful and enjoy what comes to me in this life,” said Simeone.

The coach, who has led Atletico for over 14 years, does not believe his team are owed anything despite their misfortune in the Champions League, including last year’s elimination by Real Madrid after Julian Alvarez’s penalty was controversially disallowed for a supposed double touch.

“I don’t think anyone owes us anything, things are deserved and achieved, and for that you have to work and search for them, and obviously you need luck on your side too,” added the coach.

“It’s extraordinary that Atletico are in the Champions League semis again, nine years later, and for the fourth time in 14 years,” he continued.

“It’s wonderful, incredible, and I think that faith, that hope, that our fans give to us is contagious and will do us well.

“We have a really tough game against a very good team, with a set-piece strategy... that they’ve worked on a lot.”

The Champions League represents Atletico’s last hope of silverware this season after their Copa del Rey final defeat earlier in April.