Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against FC Barcelona, where Atlético will look to build upon the 4-4 draw in the first leg to reach the final in Seville later this month.
When asked if the season would be a failure with defeat in this game, he responded that “failure is not trying. If you don’t try, you fail.
“For me, the season has been very good,” he added. “We did very well in the Champions League, we competed in the league, in the semifinals of the cup... The fate of each match will determine whether it is a very good season, an extraordinary season or just an average season.”
❝FC Barcelona have a great courage to attack. We will have to try to isolate them from their potential❞.
— Simeone pic.twitter.com/zJi15XVMsO
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 1, 2025
Simeone on this being a final before the final
“The fans have behaved as they have behaved every year, the stadium is full, singing every game, the presence of our people gives us incredible energy. It’s not a final, it’s a semi-final. The first leg was 4-4, it was an intense, hard-fought match and we played against a rival that plays extraordinary football, with a lot of courage to attack.”
Simeone on the hurt of defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona
“I am talking about my feelings. The team is having a very good season. We competed well in the Champions League, in the league, in the cup and hopefully we can finish in the best way. Hopefully we can compete without leaving our philosophy of going game by game.”
Simeone on those who write off Atleti
“It’s an opinion and I respect it.”
FC Barcelona v Atletico de Madrid - Copa del Rey Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Simeone on comparisons to the league match
“There will be different situations, the rival will have a high amount of possession, but we could repeat the matches and I don’t think there would be many changes in either. Each team will try to take the game to where we think we can perform better.”
Simeone on who will play in goal
“Yes, (Juan) Musso will play.”
Simeone on the continued reaction to Julián Alvarez’s penalty
“Barcelona.”
Simeone on Antoine Griezmann
“Everyone has moments throughout the season. When we get used to having so much talent, goal scorers, authority... there is a need for him to come back to his best level. I hope he recovers it.”
Simeone on Robert Lewandowski
“I congratulate him, because he is having an extraordinary season. I admire his work, his perseverance. He’s a player to admire. For any number nine, he’s a player to watch and to learn from.”
Simeone on stopping Barcelona’s attack
“The rival plays the whole match with the same intensity. They are going to have goal-scoring situations, they play in a fluid, brave way and we will have to try to go through better moments ourselves.”
Simeone on Javi Galán’s reduced role in recent week
“César Azpilicueta, Reinildo and Javi Galán can play (at left-back). All three will be available and all three want to start the match.”
Simeone on choosing how to approach the game
“Against Barcelona we have to play with joy, with hope, playing the same way we did in the first round we played in Málaga (in 2012). It is clear that in this sense I will not change.”