Simeone, Atlético ‘confident’ in approach for Barça quarterfinal

Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Diego Simeone gives a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg football match against FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, on April 13, 2026. (Photo by Javier SORIANO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Barcelona, Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to acknowledge any kind of home advantage at the Metropolitano as he previewed the game just like any other. “The match, whatever we imagine, is only in our heads for now until the game starts, and obviously, everything we’ve said is left behind,” Simeone told reporters on Monday.

“Because if we think we’re going to apply pressure just because we’re playing at home and they play better, it doesn’t happen. The other day (Wednesday), in the first 20 minutes, we had good ball movement. They couldn’t take the ball away from us, and we spent more time in their half, playing better than anyone imagined at the start of the match.

“So, we must keep faith, hoping the team can keep responding the way it is, and have confidence in what we want,” he concluded. Diego Simeone on if Jan Oblak will play “I haven’t announced the lineup yet. I usually give it to them at 7 p.

m. , when we’re at the hotel. I always have time until then to decide who starts.