Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Wednesday, 06 May 2026, 08:07 / Updated on Wednesday, 06 May 2026 08:07
Former international Gică Craioveanu (58 years old) analyzed the duel in London, between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, which ended with the victory of the “gunners”, score 1-0 (2-1 overall). He was disappointed by the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals, explaining the reasons why he did not like the game.
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Arsenal will play in the Champions League final with the winner of the “double” between Bayern and PSG. In the round, the Parisians prevailed 5-4 at home.
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The grand final is scheduled for May 30, in Budapest
The reaction of Gică Craioveanu, after the first finalist of the Champions League was established
“Disappointed with the match. I think it was a modest match compared to what I expected. I was expecting something more than the round match. I thought they would risk more, even though I said at the beginning it would be a tactical match. Not so tactical.
There were very few chances, and the game was decided by a big mistake in defense from Atletico, who didn't even know how to close the gate after Oblak's rejection.
Instead, when they had to switch to plan B they didn't have it. They didn't have possession, they didn't have chances. Honestly, I didn't like the match,” said Gică Craioveanu, at the end of Tuesday night's game, from London, on the show “Euro Football”, from Digi Sport.
Gică Craioveanu was not the only one dissatisfied
Wesley Sneijder, 2010 Champions League winner with Inter, had a similar intervention, criticizing the form shown by the two teams. He was ironic and asked UEFA to cancel the match at the Emirates, wanting the final to be played between Bayern and PSG, opponents in the other semi-final, who put on a show in the first leg, 5-4 in Paris.
I said after 35 minutes: UEFA must intervene. He has to call London: “Get both teams off the field, and tomorrow the final will be played between Bayern and PSG!”. I knew this would happen. Atletico retreated into the block and conceded possession and Arsenal had a lot of possession
– Wesley Sneijder, at halftime of the match
