Diego Simeone, the coach of Atlético Madrid, spoke during the press conference preceding the match against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, affirming his confidence in his team and emphasizing the importance of the fans and their role in supporting the team at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Regarding Barcelona's absences, Simeone said: 'I don't think about them, I think about us, about Barrios' absence, and about some players who haven't been well these days. We have to think about ourselves and see which match we find ourselves in.'

He added about Barrios' absence: 'There is no alternative to Pablo, the characteristics are different, Johnny's injury hurts us because he lacks continuity and can't help us. The young players, whether Rodrigo or Oped, are adapting to the group. They are in the adaptation phase, to which we must add daily work and the demands of winning.'

He continued about evaluating his technical work: 'I constantly blame myself, as the coach's position is the most susceptible to criticism. The cup match against Betis was close to perfect, but the first 15 minutes were not good. We know we must provide players with tools to improve, and we are working on that.'

About Hans Flick, he said: 'I appreciate his constant maintenance of an advanced defensive line, maintaining pressure in the opponent's field, and convincing players to play with all this risk. I've mentioned three things to you.'

Regarding Lookman, he clarified: 'No, I haven't spoken after the last match.'

Concerning team management amid a congested schedule, he said: 'We manage it and try to keep the players in good condition, working accordingly with those who play less. We are as a whole, not just four players. We have two extra matches in the Champions League for not being in the top eight, but the players have a lot of work and great readiness.'

About his chances against Barcelona, he stated: 'I don't know how you live your life, but I always believe in everything I do. I live by faith, and this is something we have conveyed to Atlético Madrid, and it's something I've had all my life. We need to deliver a good match; it's the third consecutive Copa del Rey semi-final we're playing, and I know no other way to reach the final than by playing the semi-final.'

He confirmed the importance of the fans by saying: 'The fans are extremely important, we have to transmit energy from the field, we hope the stadium is as it usually is, and we transmit good energy so that there is a good match.'

About the match plan, he explained: 'If they find spaces in quick transitions, it's dangerous, and if they find collective play, it's dangerous, so we must take the match to where we think we can hurt them.'

He spoke about Baina, saying: 'Sometimes due to technical decisions, he doesn't play 90 minutes, and sometimes because I see that the player has given everything on the field, and I consider that there are players on the bench who can offer more.'

He added about Hanko and Bobel: 'The characteristics of Mark and Hanko, and also Ruben, are that they are faster players capable of deciding confrontations in spaces, this situation may arise and we hope to resolve it in the best way.'

On the reasons for reaching the final, he summarized his talk by saying: 'The team I have.'

He concluded regarding the first-leg result: 'Like any team playing at home, winning the match.'