‘Speak now!’ – Brahim Diaz taunts Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone after scoring crucial goal for Real Madrid in Champions League tie

Brahim Diaz shouted “speak now!” at Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone after netting Real Madrid’s winner in the Champions League on Tuesday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Simeone claimed ahead of the first leg of the round of 16 tie that he did not believe Diaz would start the match, predicting that Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric would be preferred. The Spaniard was in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI, though, and scored the winner in Real’s 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Diaz has generally been used as a squad player by Ancelotti this season, starting four of Real’s 11 Champions League matches. Jude Bellingham’s suspension opened up a vacancy in midfield, however, and the youngster took his chance.

WHAT BRAHIM DIAZ SAID

Before the game, Simeone had said: “I believe Modric and Camavinga will start over Brahim, but he is still an option.” When Diaz scored the winner, he was spotted shouting towards the Atletico bench: “Speak now, speak now. You talked yesterday, speak now!”

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WHAT NEXT FOR BRAHIM DIAZ AND REAL MADRID?

Despite scoring such a crucial goal, Diaz’s place in the Real starting XI moving forward is far from assured. Bellingham returns from La Liga and Champions League suspensions in the next week, while Rodrygo – one of Diaz’s main rivals for a place in the team – was the other goalscorer in the 2-1 win at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.