Atlético Madrid reached the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, albeit with a nervy ending, after a 3-2 win over Atlético Baleares in Mallorca on Wednesday evening.
Coach Diego Simeone was asked about the game
and immediately praised one player in saying, “I’m very happy for Juan Musso, he’s working very hard, waiting for his moment to perform for the team. It was an important day, he made two or three very good saves.
“In the first half, with the score at 0-2, we were controlling the game well, we had a chance before the goal that we could have finished better, and then it was 1-2,” Simeone said of the game’s rapidly-changing dynamics. “In the second half, there were two very good chances to equalise, then it was 1-3, the first penalty was perhaps justified, but I don’t think the second was, and that brought the game to a point where it was closer.”
Diego Simeone on the result
“For players like Javi (Galán), Carlos (Martín), Raspadori, Almada, Robin, who don’t get much playing time, it’s not easy to play and respond. I liked the team’s attitude, commitment and intention.”
Diego Simeone on whether he was surprised by Atlético Baleares
“No, we had seen them play very well. Against Espanyol, they took the lead and managed to hold on to it, defending well, as they did here too, with counter-attacks, combination play, building from the back and danger from set pieces, which they do very well. They knocked out Espanyol, who play very well. We played a good game.”
Diego Simeone on Antoine Griezmann
“It’s important for him because he’s happier, more content. It’s what he wants: to score goals, help the team and go as far as possible in all competitions. He works very hard, I loved it. I’m leaving happy with the overall performance. Musso was the best, which makes me happy; that’s what he’s there for, to make saves. And the team had the strength to win.”
Diego Simeone on Clement Lenglet’s injury
“Let’s hope it’s as minor as possible. Let’s wait for the tests.”
Diego Simeone on whether the result was fair
“Fairness is what we always talk about. When one team is strong and the other isn’t, it becomes unfair, but football is about strength and quality. The better the players, the more quality and the easier it is to score goals. Sometimes it happens to us with other teams and this time it happened like that.”
Diego Simeone on whether he expected the match to be so difficult
“I don’t think it was difficult. We always had the feeling that they could have equalised, but it wasn’t that nerve-wracking. There were isolated plays, those one-on-ones that Juan saved very well, but we controlled the match until the last 8 or 10 minutes, when we stopped attacking. We tried to win at all times.”
