Simeone: Alone and Defensive

Since the controversial elimination in the Champions League round of 16 against their eternal rivals, Cholo Simeone hasn't seemed the same. First, he took advantage of the league break for international matches to travel to Argentina and "recharge" with his family. Then, he claimed that the responsibility for that painful exit in Europe lay with Marciniak, the Polish referee, and UEFA. Ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final return leg against Barcelona, following the spectacular 4-4 at Montjuic, he tried to put aside that clash against Real Madrid but appeared very defensive.

It's difficult to interpret the Atlético manager, but perhaps he's even more upset because he feels that even the club as an institution has left him very alone in this crusade over the penalty disallowed to Julián Álvarez for a double touch so minor that, according to rule experts, the ball never came into play as it didn't clearly move, and therefore, the action should have been repeated.

"How do you feel after your trip to Argentina?" he was asked at the press conference. "I was talking about my feelings. The team is having a very good season. Hopefully, we can finish in the best way without deviating from the game-by-game approach," he replied succinctly. "Why do you think your comments on the Champions League elimination are bothersome?" he was questioned. "Barcelona..." he responded this time, as if trying to turn the page and focus again on the task at hand.

Is it a final against Barcelona? "Let's separate things. The fans have behaved incredibly until today, with the stadium full, singing every match. The strength of the stadium helps us achieve great results, but tomorrow is not a final, it's a semi-final. We have to face it as it is. The first leg was contested, intense. The opponent has very good courage. We will have to take the game where we can hurt them."

How do you manage the fear of failure? "Well, failure is a broad word. Those who don't try, fail; those who try, don't fail. The season is going very well, maybe you didn't hear that. The fate of the game-by-game approach will dictate whether the season is very good, extraordinary, or average," Cholo concluded.

After the recent 2-4 league defeat against the Catalans, which he admitted hurt because Atlético had a two-goal advantage with 20 minutes remaining, it was necessary to find out if Simeone believes something needs to change. "For tomorrow? We have to continue as we have always worked. Thinking the same way we did on the first day playing against Málaga. I won't change."

What is the path to follow then? "We will go through different moments. They will have high possession. We will repeat the matches that have been shown. I don't think there will be many changes in them or us. Each will try to take it where they can perform best."

How to manage goals in the final minutes? "I don't find it strange. The opponent plays with the same intensity throughout the match. They will have chances, they play fluidly, bravely. We have to try to isolate them from that potential that we all see."

Beyond advancing that his compatriot Musso will remain the starting goalkeeper in the Cup, despite his criticized performance in the first leg and the enormous weight of Oblak, Simeone did not want to give clues about a lineup in which not many changes are foreseen. He insisted that Azpilicueta, Reinildo, and Galán can all start as left-backs and praised Lewandowski when asked how he can be marked. "First, congratulate him. His numbers are incredible. I admire his perseverance. He is a player to admire and for strikers, to watch and learn from."

Cholo also referred to the alternatives in midfield, with Koke now recovered from his muscle injury. "We have good options with different characteristics. Gallagher plays more where Rodrigo (De Paul) does with higher intensity, although Rodrigo has more talent. Between Barrios and Koke, it's the same, Barrios has more intensity and Koke has the ability to read the game... Possibly, the best we have."

What is the reason for Griezmann's poor form? "During the season, everyone has different moments to go through. When we get used to so much talent, so many goals, and that doesn't appear, there's a need for it to return. I hope and want it to appear tomorrow."