Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was happy with the team’s win against Getafe in the Copa del Rey quarter final. Atletico took a 5-0 victory last night, with Giuliano Simeone scoring twice, Samuel Lino, Angelo Correa and Alexander Sorloth also getting on the scoresheet.  Simeone said: “The team played the game well, tried to be forceful, and were aggressive in attack. It’s true that Getafe changed a lot, but we played a game with high intensity to go for what we wanted, which was to get through.  “Whenever we have seen the youngsters from the youth team do well, it is a joy for us, for those who saw them grow. Saúl, Lucas, Thomas, now Riquelme or Barrios. Many youngsters who give health to the others who know that if they train well they will be able to compete. It is a satisfaction for everyone, for those who have done it in previous years and for those who accompany them to do better.” About his son, Giuliano, Diego also said: “I shouted the first goal as I needed to, the second less because the game was not over and the third more. I have no relation to shouting it or not shouting it. Sometimes I understand that one or two goals do not close the game and that is why there is more or less enthusiasm to celebrate it.  “There is still a long way to go until Saturday, we must work in the same way, but the healthiest thing is that people come to compete no matter how many minutes it takes and that is the difference we can have with the others, if we maintain it it gives us the possibility to continue with what we are doing.” 

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has replied to Real Madrid over their letter to the RFEF regarding the state of refereeing in Spain. Flick took the swipe this morning as he previewed tomorrow’s Copa del Rey quarter final with Valencia.  The match: “It’s a totally different game to the one in La Liga. We’re going to give it our all. We’re going to press. They’re going to press. Everything will be different. The atmosphere, the stadium, the ambiance…”  Dani Olmo and Gavi: “We’ll see if Olmo comes on in the second half. Gavi is not an option for tomorrow, according to protocol. It’s good to do it like this, the blow was hard.” Frenkie de Jong: “You always compare players. We have a game tomorrow and then another on Sunday. We’ll be back at three or four in the morning. I need all the players. Frenkie is great, and Casadó is also wonderful. It doesn’t matter who plays, everyone will give their all. That’s what’s important.” Dani Olmo: “He has shown, in many games, how important he is for us. He is important in the centre and in attack, he knows how to control the ball. He is very important. But we have to take care of him. We have to make sure he keeps playing. It all depends on the load he has. We have to know how he feels and adapt. We can’t have him in every game. He is important for the next games.” Letter from Real Madrid: “To be honest, I don’t want to talk about it. But it’s not our way of doing things, I wouldn’t do it. Every coach and club has some reasons for saying things. We are human and we make mistakes. And referees have a very hard job and we have to look after them, the situation they have is not easy.” Valencia? “The first game was tough, then we played again. The atmosphere was incredible. Tomorrow we will have a lot of pressure. It’s a cup match. You don’t win the title, but you can lose it and we don’t want that.” You’re turning 60 years old: “In my life, I often think about the situations I would like to experience. Many dreams come true, and one was to coach Barça. It’s something incredible. I like the city, it’s fantastic. The sun, the food, the weather… February and look at the temperature. But I love this club and coaching this team is fantastic. The players are unique. It’s incredible. I’ve never experienced anything like it. They love training, they love training and playing. I love watching it. I appreciate it very much. It’s a dream come true.” Real Madrid’s complaint: “I think I’ve said it. When I arrived I said there are no excuses, no complaints, no blame. I don’t like it. We have to win our games. We have lost some, unexpectedly, and it’s our fault. We’re seeing what we can do. We’re close, but it’s not all over yet. Sunday is a big game and we have to win it, but first there’s Valencia.” Goalkeepers: “(Wijciech) Szczesny is number one, clearly. “I know that goalkeepers are compared. Iñaki (Pena) is fantastic. We chose Szczesny for his personality, and for his way of doing things, style… both are great. The youngsters do well too. We made a decision and followed it. We decided what was best for the team.”

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was happy after a 2-0 victory against Real Mallorca.  Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino scored as Simeone marked 500 matches in charge with a win.  He said afterwards: “We look to the present, but I’m very happy with how we’ve progressed. There were a lot of people on the coaching staff who are no longer here, players who shared an idea, leaders who are also no longer here and who accompanied us. It makes me very happy. “And if I allow myself to thank these 500 games, I’ll make a section for my family: my wife, my daughters, my sons because I love this club very much, but I’ve taken a lot of time away from my family.” “The teams that fight for important things are the ones that concede the fewest goals. Our goal is to reach this situation and grow in the offensive part. The team is doing well, we needed this victory. We could have won before they had theirs because any situation that gets away from you makes you tie a game. But it ended with a stroke of genius from Antonie.” Simeone added, “I’m very lucky, I’ve had people around me who work very well, colleagues on the coaching staff, managers, people who support us continuously and the footballers who have followed us. There’s no idea if there isn’t a consequence on the field. I always look at Gabi, Juan, Filipe who have left a legacy and the rest continue to represent.”

Gavi has signed a new contract with FC Barcelona. Barca confirmed that he agreed to a new deal through 2030.  The Blaugrana announced last night: “FC Barcelona and player Pablo Páez Gavira “Gavi” have reached an agreement on a new contract, with him remaining at the Club until June 30, 2030. “The Blaugrana midfielder signed his new contract today, alongside FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta, First Vice President Rafa Yuste and the Club’s Sporting Director, Anderson Luis de Souza “Deco”. Half a life with Barça… and still a long way to go. The Andalusian has literally been with Barça for half his life. “It was ten years ago, in 2015, when he left Real Betis to join La Masia, and since then he has grown as a Blaugrana, both personally and as a player. His first-team debut came on August 29, 2021, shortly after turning 17, and it was clear that nothing would discourage him from day one.”

Getafe coach Jose Bordalas says that the team’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Saturday felt like a win. Mauro Arambarri canceled out Jules Kounde’s opening for Barcelona on the night, with Bordalas left full of pride at full time.  After the match, Bordalas gave a review of how the night had gone.  His assessment of the match VS Barcelona: “Very proud, a great match, another exercise in survival for the team. We are becoming experts this season. The level of the opponent, the form, came from superb matches against Real Madrid or Betis. The team has played a great match. It tastes like a victory. You all know the difference between one rival and another and adding points was tremendously important.” The racist slurs to Alejandro Balde: “I didn’t know that. I am against any racist comment or chant. I am totally against it. If it is true, they should be found and removed from the football fields.” Update on Mauro Arambarri: “He has had an injury to his hamstring, tests will be carried out, we will see the extent of it. The doctor who came in to treat him told me this. It is a significant loss.” Yellu’s performance: “It was because he was conditioned, he is an impetuous boy, he competes at the highest level, he was not happy. Imagine me as a coach. It was hard to make that decision. It happened to me on one occasion, last season I think, we were with eleven and Jaime Mata was sent off. Jaime is a boy who gives everything and one action left us with ten. Thinking about the team. At the end of the game he told me that he understood. We have him available now.” How he feels about the draw:  “It was a very difficult game, we knew we had to play a great game. An incredible team, the options they have, the offensive capacity. We were able to get a point. It is a tremendous achievement. I want to congratulate our fans, they were great. The difference is huge at all levels, I am very happy for the boys. It was a great night.” Isma’s behaviour towards Balde and a scuffle with Hansi Flick: “It’s not that important, things that stay on the pitch, they were going to the bench with the aim of diverting attention. There was an assault or a slap to Isma. He’s a player who defends well, we have problems due to the physical wear and tear with Coba who ended up shooting. Strengthening that wing was the objective and holding on to that point that we finally got.” Problems for Barcelona: “It was a tremendous tactical and physical display by the team, very united. The plan was to close spaces, they are a team that associates well, they accumulate players behind the midfielders. We faced the start with three men, we achieved it. It’s a shame that goal with Koundé’s run. They got ahead but we didn’t lose face and we got the equalizer. We are happy with the work.”