Simeone states that Atlético was better than Barcelona in the second leg.

Tension and excitement marked the recent semifinal of the Copa del Rey, where Atlético de Madrid, under the leadership of their energetic coach Diego Simeone, made history by securing a spot in the final, even after a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the second leg. With an aggregate score of 4-3, Simeone expressed his satisfaction and confidence in his team’s ability, stating that despite the setback, they were superior to the Catalan giant.

“Going back to the first game is essential, where we had a brilliant first half. In the second half, we managed to contain their attacks. I left that game annoyed because we knew we could have scored another goal. I know these players’ capabilities well,” Simeone declared, with a smile that reflected his determination. The Argentine coach did not hesitate to acknowledge the influence of Pedri and Raphinha, who returned to Barcelona, bringing a different rhythm and a higher quality to the opponent’s game. “It’s frustrating that the goals came due to a lack of concentration in set-piece situations. That led us to a difficult moment,” he added.

Simeone also praised José Giménez, who, according to him, brought essential maturity to the team. “We couldn’t play the way we wanted, but we secured a crucial victory for our fans. We needed this final,” emphasized the coach, who is now taking Atlético Madrid back to the Copa del Rey final, a feat that hasn’t happened in thirteen years. “We had two previous semifinals; this was our third, and we were close. In the two, our opponents were superior. In this two-legged tie, we were better than Barcelona,” he stated confidently.

The coach recalled that, despite the defeat in the second leg, Atlético had moments of superiority, but the difficulty in controlling set pieces proved to be a challenging obstacle to overcome. “If they play well and score goals, it becomes even more complicated,” warned Simeone. He went on to explain the preparation for the match, where the intention was to attack, but the execution was rarely achieved. “Anything can happen in a game at this level. The intensity was extremely high; Balde and Kounde had to come off,” he said, reinforcing the need to compete at high levels.

Diego Simeone, one of the most respected coaches in world football, continues to demonstrate that his vision and strategy are crucial for the success of Atlético Madrid, which, under his command, is determined to win the Copa del Rey and bring a new title to the club.