Atletico Madrid supervisor Diego Simeone has declared that this season has been ‘excellent’ for Los Rojiblancos to this point, though the ultimate video games of the season will dictate how their 12 months is evaluated. Los Colchoneros go into their semi-final second leg within the Copa del Rey towards Barcelona (4-4 on combination) with some feeling it’s their final likelihood to exceed expectations this 12 months.
The clashes between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have been entertaining to this point, with 17 targets in three video games and a win every for each aspect. Los Rojiblancos suffered a 4-2 defeat on the Metropolitano two video games in the past, however Simeone was not anticipating a lot in the best way of adjustments.
“We’ll undergo completely different durations. They’ll have quite a lot of possession. We’ll repeat the video games we’ve been displaying. I don’t assume there will likely be many adjustments for them or for us. Every participant will attempt to take it to the place they will carry out greatest,” he informed the media.
Simeone’s principal choice dilemmas have been on the left aspect of the staff between Samuel Lino and Conor Gallagher, in addition to at left-back between Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Galan and Reinildo Mandava. Captain Koke Resurreccion has additionally returned to health in midfield.
“We’ve got good choices with completely different traits. Gallagher performs extra the place Rodrigo does, with a better depth, though Rodrigo has extra expertise. The identical factor occurs between Barrios and Koke: Barrios has extra depth, and Koke has a capability to learn the sport… Probably the perfect we’ve got.”
“Cesar, Reinildo, or Galan can play. All three are wanting to play. I’ll determine who goes first,” Simeone commented on the left-back place.
Galan and Mandava have each began up towards Lamine Yamal, with neither notably profitable in stopping him, which can maybe permit the skilled Azpilicueta a look-in. In the meantime the type of Antoine Griezmann over the past two months has additionally been questioned.
“Through the season, everybody goes by way of completely different moments. After we get used to a lot expertise, so many targets, and it doesn’t present up, the necessity for it to return arises. I hope and need it to point out up tomorrow.”
Simeone was requested about whether or not the season could be a failure if within the area of 4 video games, Atletico have been eradicated from competition for all three main titles, with slim hopes of overhauling a nine-point deficit in La Liga.
Frenkie de Jong is raring to commit his future to the membership after having some doubts not way back. Deco is already engaged on it. Barcelona nonetheless take into account his wages extreme, however are keen to discover a resolution that enables De Jong to keep up them nearly intact in his new contract.…
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 1, 2025
“Effectively, failure is a broad phrase. He who doesn’t strive, fails; he who tries, doesn’t fail. The season goes very nicely, possibly you didn’t hear that, so I’ll say it once more, it’s been an excellent season. The end result of the sport by recreation will dictate whether or not the season is superb, extraordinary, or common.”
Simeone was additionally requested about managing the ultimate minutes of the sport, after his aspect have been unusually brittle of their final assembly, conceding 4 instances within the last 20 minutes.
🚨 Journalist: “Is tomorrow’s recreation towards Barcelona like a last?”
Diego Simeone: “Tomorrow isn’t a last, it’s a semifinal that might permit us to play in a last.
The followers, as much as at the moment, have behaved the identical means they’ve yearly since I arrived on the membership—singing… pic.twitter.com/QDN988E4D3
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) April 1, 2025
“I don’t discover it unusual. The opponent performs with the identical depth all through the match. They’ll have probabilities, they play fluidly, with bravery. We’ve got to take the sport to a spot the place we are able to damage them and attempt to isolate them from that potential all of us see.”
Barcelona are set to have Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha absolutely match for the conflict, though they are going to be with out Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal and Marc Casado. Los Rojiblancos have a totally match squad, though Angel Correa is suspended, and Juan Musso will begin forward of Jan Oblak being the Copa del Rey. Atletico have triggered Barcelona extra issues than every other aspect this season, however the Catalan giants stay unbeaten in 2025.