Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone appeared before the media ahead of the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona, making it clear that his belief in the team remains strong regardless of the opponent.
The clash promises to be one of the biggest fixtures of the Spanish season, with both sides aiming to take a step toward the final.
Speaking about his mindset before the match, Simeone stressed that faith in his team is not limited to one game. He explained, “I always have faith, not just tomorrow.”
The Argentine then expanded on the idea, highlighting the mentality he believes defines both the club and its supporters.
“I have faith in everything I do and everything I create. It’s a trait that I think we’ve managed to convey. It’s the third semi-final we’re going to play. There’s no other way to reach the final.”
Absence in Barcelona
Barcelona arrive at the tie with a few important absences. The club confirmed that Marcus Rashford will miss the match, joining Pedri and Raphinha on the sidelines.
Despite the quality of those players, Simeone made it clear he is not thinking about who Barcelona are missing.
“I’m not thinking about them; I need to focus on what we’re going to do,” he noted.
Simeone loves playing against Hansi Flick. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Simeone also reflected on the challenges of management and the constant search for improvement.
Despite being rivals, the Atletico boss took time to praise Barcelona manager Hansi Flick for the style he has implemented.
Praise for Flick
Simeone highlighted the German’s brave tactical approach and the commitment of his players to execute it.
“I value Flick for maintaining that suffocating pressure, his high defensive line, and convincing his players to play with so much risk.”
The Argentine also warned about the many threats Barcelona pose in attack. He underlined their ability to control matches and hurt opponents in different ways.
“If you encounter quick transitions, they are dangerous. With combination play, they are dangerous.
“You can’t take the ball off them all the time. Because they put good pressure on your field. We must look for that path and hope that we can materialise our game, taking the match where we want it to go,” he concluded.
Source: SPORT
