Atletico Madrid secured a place in the Copa del Rey final after an exciting two-legged tie with FC Barcelona. Although the Catalan team tried to overturn the deficit, Diego Simeone's squad ultimately celebrated success. The event was dominated by Antoine Griezmann's provocative behavior towards his former club and criticism of Atletico's defensive style of play. Meanwhile, tension is rising in the Real Madrid camp, where fans loudly demanded the resignation of president Florentino Perez during recent matches.

Atletico's Advancement to the Final

Diego Simeone's team eliminated Barcelona after a dramatic match, defending a favorable result despite strong pressure from the rivals.

Griezmann's Provocation

The French striker mocked his former club on social media after the match, sparking a storm of comments in Spain and France.

Real Madrid Fans' Rebellion

Protests against Florentino Perez took place at the Santiago Bernabeu, signaling a deep crisis within the structures of the Madrid giant.

Criticism of Simeone's Style

Despite the win, the defensive tactics of the Atletico coach were described as embarrassing by some sports commentators.

Atletico Madrid secured a spot in the grand final of the Copa del Rey, eliminating FC Barcelona in dramatic circumstances. Although the second leg was full of tension, the Madrid side managed to defend their advantage from the first leg, sparking euphoria in the Spanish capital. The hero of social media and newspaper headlines became Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman, celebrating the advancement, posted a provocative photo online with a pointed question of whether the picture was too brutal for the fans of the Pride of Catalonia. The gesture was interpreted as sweet revenge for the difficult period the player spent at Camp Nou and for earlier jibes from Catalan media directed at him. Despite the ultimate success, the style of play displayed by Diego Simeone's charges sparked a wave of criticism among experts. Gonzalo Miró publicly admitted he felt ashamed watching the team's ultra-defensive setup, commonly referred to as a „bus” parked in their own penalty area. Critics note that Diego Simeone nearly led to disaster by pulling his team too deep back in the final phase of the match. However, the Argentine remained true to his traditions and after the match went with a bouquet of red and white flowers to the Montserrat monastery to thank the Virgin Mary, known as „La Moreneta”, for the hard-fought advancement to the final. The Copa del Rey is the oldest football competition in Spain, inaugurated in 1903, which for many clubs represents the shortest path to winning a trophy and securing participation in European cups. Parallel to events in the capital, a restless atmosphere prevails at Real Madrid. Well-known journalist Manolo Lama pointed out the unprecedented behavior of the Royal fans at the Santiago Bernabeu. During recent matches, fans chanted slogans calling for the resignation of Florentino Perez. Experts suggest this is a clear signal of dissatisfaction with the club's current development direction and the lack of expected successes this season. This internal situation in the camp of Atletico's biggest rival adds extra flavor to Simeone's team's success, which is emerging as the main favorite for the ultimate triumph in the cup, now awaiting the resolution of the final match. „¿Esta foto va muy dura?” (Is this photo too hard?) — Antoine Griezmann

Mentioned People

  • Antoine Griezmann — Atletico Madrid footballer, author of a provocative social media post aimed at Barcelona.
  • Diego Simeone — Atletico Madrid coach, criticized for his defensive style of play but praised for its effectiveness.
  • Gonzalo Miró — Spanish presenter and sports analyst who criticized Atletico's approach.
  • Manolo Lama — Well-known Spanish radio journalist, reporting on the mood among Real Madrid fans.
  • Florentino Perez — President of Real Madrid, whose resignation is being demanded by the club's fans.