Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone praised his team’s resilience after they fought back from a two-goal deficit to secure a dramatic 4-4 draw against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
The match saw Alexander Sorloth net a stoppage-time equalizer, sparking wild celebrations on the Atletico bench.
“What stands out most for me is this team’s spirit. There is an incredible gladiatorial spirit by the players that is inspiring,” Simeone said.
While acknowledging Barcelona’s attacking strength, Simeone emphasized his team’s unwavering mentality and competitive edge, highlighting the courage they showed to claw back a 4-2 deficit.
However, he was critical of Atletico’s defensive lapses, particularly conceding two goals from corners, calling such mistakes “unacceptable”.
“It’s a matter of individual and collective efforts that we need to correct.”
With the tie now wide open, the teams will meet again for the decisive second leg on April 2.
