Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone praised his side as he spoke of a Copa del Rey final appearance which has been a long time coming, as a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou was enough to secure a first showing in the final of the competition since 2013 following a 4-0 first leg win.
“We had reached two semi-finals and were close to reaching a final, it wasn’t to be because our opponents were better, but in this two-legged tie we were better than Barcelona because we took advantage of the game where
we were better and they play very well,” Simeone assessed.
“It hurts that we couldn’t control that set piece that hurt us so much (the first goal) and led us into a game against a team that plays very well and makes it more difficult if they threaten you from set pieces,” he continued. “Our fans needed a game like this and the lads are making an incredible effort to get where our fans want us to be, so now we have to get there in good shape, work hard and look forward to the final.”
Diego Simeone on the result tasting better after so much suffering
“I would go for the first match given the choice. We had an extraordinary first half, with a very high pace and intensity. In the second half, we managed to hold off their attacks, and I left angry after that match. We could have scored one more goal; we needed one more goal given how the match was going against a weaker opponent. You might say how can you be angry with a 4-0 win, but I know what these Barcelona players are capable of, they play brilliantly.
“Today, Pedri and Raphinha were back, and they are different, they play at a different pace, and the first half was good for them. It hurts that the goals came from a lack of attention on set pieces rather than from open play. I don’t know if the 3-0 was offside or not, but it led to a difficult moment for us. I loved Giménez’s entrance, which gave us maturity and confidence. We couldn’t play the game we wanted to, attacking more on the right like Llorente’s move with Lookman (in the second half). We couldn’t attack as we would have liked because of their merit. Our fans need a final and we hope to give everything to give them what they want.”
Simeone on whether he would’ve taken 3-0 in the first leg
“I wouldn’t have signed up for it, because we needed and could have played a better game offensively. We are Atlético, we are destined to suffer, to always reach our limits. I don’t know what will happen, but believe me, the journey is fantastic.”
Simeone on the message at half-time
“Firstly, calm down and face reality, they were a step above us. They didn’t let us play, they took away our space just like we did to them on our pitch. That’s what happened in the first half, where we couldn’t do anything we had planned to attack.”
Simeone on whether Griezmann will play in the final
“I hope so. He deserves it more than anyone. The way he ran today was incredible. He’ll keep his quality and talent for the rest of his life. What more can I add to everything you know I feel for him? I love him, I always want the best for him, and I hope he can play in the final.”
Simeone on whether it’s harder to prepare for a match with an advantage than a 0-0
“We planned to attack in the match. And it didn’t happen, or it happened very rarely. The good thing about this game is that everything you imagine can happen or not, because it also depends on the opponent. The opposition was better, they played with great intensity in the first half, Koundé and Balde had to come off because they put in a huge effort. To compete at the highest level, you have to play like this, I think it will serve us well for what’s to come.”
Simeone on whether this changes the season’s objectives
“No, definitely not. It’s just about reaching the final, a step toward what we want.”
Simeone on the two legs
“We knew we were coming to a difficult ground, against a team that plays very well. The first half was intense, we couldn’t progress in attack and there were more plays like Llorente’s cross and Lookman’s header (at the end of the first half). We didn’t work well on set pieces and that’s how we conceded the goals, like the third one that looked offside and wasn’t given. If Barcelona scores goals from set pieces, you suffer more, and that wasn’t the plan.”
Simeone on the difference between the two games
“They took away the time we needed to play. At home, we had it because we played with higher intensity and they played with less. That’s why we scored four goals and could have scored two more. Not today, but I’m leaving with the joy of knowing how to suffer because it’s part of the double-header. We played a great game at home, I was one goal short of leaving with 5-0, I left angry about that and today we suffered.”
Simeone on what he asked for at half-time
“To increase the intensity, they were one step ahead and we couldn’t link up to combine and break through like Llorente did. We only did it once. In the first leg, we were able to do it, and if you attack less than a team that plays well, it makes it more difficult.”
Simeone on Barcelona
“Pedri, Bernal and everyone made a huge effort. It was difficult to maintain that intensity, the changes helped, Giménez’s entrance gave us maturity, and maturity is needed within the team.”
Simeone on his words with Hansi Flick
“He told me his opinion of situations that happened in the match and I told him that they play brilliantly. Hopefully we can face each other in the Champions League quarter-finals so we can compete in the best possible way. Today, when we were 3-0 down, I said ‘this is Atleti’.”
Simeone on the semi-final
“We’ve been looking for this for a long time. We had lost two semi-finals and we had an extraordinary opponent, who plays at a higher pace when they play with intensity, especially in the first half. We had a few chances where we could have done some damage. They worked better than us on set pieces; their three goals came that way, in one way or another. It was a tough match, we knew it was going to be a long one. We got where we wanted to be. We’re left with that feeling.”
Simeone on suffering
“When you play against teams like Barça, you know you’re going to suffer if you don’t attack. They suffer if their opponents string passes together and look to attack. We didn’t attack, they pressed us, they took away our time. The few chances we had, we made the most of; Lookman’s shot, another one inside that could have been better… There were few, we expected more.”
