Ivan Leko, the Croatian football coach of Club Brugge, expressed his mixed feelings after the team was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League with a 1-4 defeat to Atletico Madrid. In a press conference held under the Metropolitano Stadium, Leko stated that while he felt sadness over the loss, he was also proud of his players for their performance during the match. The first half ended 1-1, which gave Leko a sense of enjoyment as his team displayed good play, energy, and spirit against a tough opponent like Atletico.

Despite the positive start, Atletico Madrid scored three goals in the second half, leading to Brugge's exit from the competition. Leko noted that his players showed bravery on the field, particularly in light of Atletico's recent strong performance against Barcelona. However, he lamented that Brugge could have taken an early lead, which might have changed the outcome of the match. The second goal by Atletico after halftime made it easier for them, allowing them to capitalize on counterattacks that led to two additional goals.

With Atletico advancing to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League due to a 3-3 draw in the first match the previous week, Leko wished the best for Atletico in their next round. For Brugge, he emphasized the importance of taking away good memories from the tournament despite the loss, showing an appreciation for the experience gained as they look forward to future challenges.