Simeone: “Barcelona's strength is its coach. Flick has done a lot of good for them”

Diego Simeone attended the press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona, ​​which starts tomorrow, with short and simple answers. Simeone was very true to his style, but contrary to his custom, he did give a clue about the eleven for Montjuïc. Juan Musso will play and not Oblak, confirming that the Argentine is the goalkeeper for the Copa del Rey.

Simeone did not want to talk about what the possible absence of Lamine Yamal would mean for the opponent. “I am not going to speak personally about each of the opponent's players. We know that they have decisive players in all positions. Whoever plays, they end up doing very well. We only think about how to take the game to where we think we can hurt them and we have a clear idea of ​​the game we want,” he said.

The victory in the League It is not a reference

Asked what Barcelona's greatest strength is, Simeone had no doubts and quickly replied: "The coach. Because he has a great ability to transmit to the players the style of play he proposes. Flick has done a lot of good for Barcelona."

Atlético have already beaten Barcelona in the Liga away from home, but Simeone does not believe that many lessons can be learned from that victory: “You have to manage everything game by game. When you face big teams like Barcelona, ​​there are times when you have a bad time and you have to prepare to suffer. There will be good and bad moments, as happened against Real Madrid. You have to know that in the same game there will be different moments. I hope that we have more good moments and above all that we are more convincing in those.”

Simeone was delighted with the schedule that awaits his team (they face Barcelona three times in a few weeks and Madrid twice). “We are excited, with enthusiasm and desire to compete, to face each match in the best way possible and now we just have to focus on tomorrow's game,” he said.

Pablo Barrios Absolute trust in him

The Argentine then spoke about several of his players and was pleased to have Pablo Barrios: “He is 21 years old and is a boy who is growing. He is important for us and is improving day after day. I see him as having responsibility within the game. He had two expulsions, but they will serve as experience for future matches. I have absolute confidence in the boy and in everything he will contribute to the team.”

Simeone was less clear about the former Barça player Lenglet and Azpilicueta: “With Clemente we will see if he starts or not and César had a great first half against Valencia. He won't be with us tomorrow but we will see if he can be there on Saturday,” he said.