Story byDiego Simeone returns to Copa del Rey final – ‘We’re Atletico Madrid, we’re destined to suffer’Football EspanaWed, March 4, 2026 at 8:45 AM UTC·4 min readAtletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has said his club are ‘destined to suffer’ after they squeezed past Barcelona en route to the Copa del Rey final. Los Colchoneros took a four-goal lead to Camp Nou, but found themselves defending just a one-goal advantage in the final 20 minutes. After the game, Simeone cut a relieved figure, and admitted that his strategy had been dismantled entirely. In terms of the tie as a whole, Simeone said he was conscious that Barcelona could mount a major comeback, and praised the performances of Pedri and Raphinha, who were not present in the first leg. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I would focus on the first match.