Soccer
Atletico Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Arsenal has been described as being similar to a first date by Koke as he looks to end his team’s wait for the trophy.
Diego Simeone’s side welcome Arsenal to the Metropolitano on Wednesday as both teams look to take a huge step towards the showpiece match in Budapdest on May 30.
It’s a competition that Koke is yet to win across his 17-year career with Atleti, though the Spaniard did start in the two finals his team reached in 2013-14 and 2015-16.
However, Atleti were beaten on both occasions by Real Madrid, while the Colchoneros also lost the 1973-74 final when Bayern Munich emerged 4-0 victors in Brussels.
But even for Koke, who is Atleti’s record appearance maker in the competition (116), the nerves of a semi-final in UEFA’s flagship competition still remain, and the 34-year-old revealed it was no different ahead of taking on the Premier League leaders.
“As the day gets closer, I get nervous and my stomach churns. It’s kind of like your first date with a girl you’ve just met,” Koke told reporters.
“But once you get to the game and start warming up, it all goes away. I feel the same excitement and anticipation as I would for a final.
“Then I stay calm to play the game, it’s only football, and I try to remain composed.”
Focused on Arsenal pic.twitter.com/r9eU0R7FKp
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 28, 2026
Koke has won nine major honours with Atleti, including two LaLiga titles, two Europa League crowns and the Copa del Rey back in 2012-13.
But when asked whether this was his last shot at achieving Champions League glory, Koke remained optimistic should his team not be successful this time around.
“I don’t feel that way. I feel like I’m enjoying it immensely; you don’t play in a semi-final every year,” Koke added.
“Against Barcelona, we said it would be the seventh time Atlético has made it this far. This is my fourth.
“I don’t know if there will be another one, but I’m going to enjoy it just like all the previous ones.”
Atletico and Arsenal will meet for just the fourth time in European competition, with half of those coming in this season’s Champions League (2/4).
The Gunners won 4-0 in a league phase meeting last October, which remains Atletico’s joint-heaviest defeat in the competition (lost by four on five occasions).
And another player who may have one final shot at winning the Champions League with Atletico is Antoine Griezmann, who departs for Orlando City SC at the end of the season.
Griezmann has been directly involved in 24.2% of Atletico’s goals in the Champions League (56/231 – 40 goals, 16 assists) across his two stints with the club.
That is the highest percentage by any player for a team that has scored 100+ goals in the competition, just ahead of former team-mate Lionel Messi for Barcelona (24.1%).
“If he could say goodbye with the Champions League, it would be incredible for everyone, but we’re just as motivated by the hope of winning the Champions League,” Koke said about whether winning the competition would be the perfect farewell gift for the Frenchman.
“Regardless of the fact that Antoine won’t be here next year, we’re playing to achieve the ultimate prize, and the ultimate prize is the Champions League.”
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