Simeone plays down fatigue factor as Atlético prepare for Copa final
He previewed the game against Real Sociedad.
SEVILLA, SPAIN - APRIL 17: Diego Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid, attends during press conference before the Final Copa de Rey, football match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad at La Cartuja Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Sevilla, Spain. (Photo By Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone remains focused on the task at hand as he spoke to the media before the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad. El Cholo was keen to play down the effects of any hangover from Tuesday night’s Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona .
“ We know how special it is for any athlete to play in a final, both the Real players and our own are incredibly excited,“ Simeone said from Sevilla. ”They’ll give everything to win. “On Tuesday we played an important match, it put us in a great position with a Champions League semifinal, but now we’re back down to earth.
That’s what counts, and here we are, we know the challenges we’re going to face,” Simeone said. On Saturday’s opponent, Simeone insisted that “Real Sociedad knows how to play, knows how to fight, and has different ways of attacking, inside and out wide, with young players. We expect nothing less than to try to take the game where we believe we can do damage .
” Diego Simeone on what’s changed since 2013 “People are always evolving, they’re not always the same. You’re 20, 30, 40… It’s the same for a coach, and for a player too. We’ve grown alongside the opportunities the club has given us, always staying true to a vision, a plan, a quest.