“It's impossible not to concede against a team like Barcelona”

Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Pablo Simeone praised his players for showing “a spirit of how to compete” against Barcelona in a match they were losing 4-2 in the 84th minute and were able to level in the closing stages (4-4). In the press conference after the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, he highlighted the “integrity and security” of his players to face a match that they were leading 0-2 in the first 6 minutes and that Barcelona came from behind before Atletico's final push.

“The changes in the second half revitalised the team and gave us courage in the final yards to attack with more people. It was an open game against a very difficult opponent and we showed that we also have our weapons,” he pondered.

According to Simeone, the result allows him to face the second leg, to be held at the Metropolitano on April 2nd, with everything wide open. “We have a lot to go for the second leg. Let's focus on match by match. When the time comes, we will focus again on Barcelona,” he added.

Atletico's coach praised Julian Alvarez - “he did an incredible job”-, Correa and Samu Lino, of whom he said he came in “very well” on the left flank. “In the last few minutes, you could feel that we could equalise,” he noted. Despite the final draw, Simeone regretted the two goals his team conceded from set pieces, although he recalled that “it is impossible not to concede against a team like Barcelona”.

 

February 25, 2025