Simeone Thrilled with Atletico’s Resilience in 4-4 Thriller at Barcelona 

Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Diego Simeone reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on February 25, 2025. (AFP)
Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Diego Simeone reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on February 25, 2025. (AFP)
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Simeone Thrilled with Atletico’s Resilience in 4-4 Thriller at Barcelona 

Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Diego Simeone reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on February 25, 2025. (AFP)
Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Diego Simeone reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, on February 25, 2025. (AFP)

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was delighted with his team's fighting spirit as they clawed back from two goals down to get a last-gasp 4-4 draw at Barcelona in an action-packed first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday.

Simeone celebrated on the sidelines when forward Alexander Sorloth scored the equalizing goal in a counter attack in the third minute of added time to rescue his side.

"What stands out most for me is this team's spirit. There is an incredible gladiatorial spirit by the players that is inspiring," the Argentinian told a press conference.

"Barcelona have extraordinary tools, but we have our own and we showed out there what we are made of.

"The celebration on the fourth goal was just an explosion of joy. The 4-2 scoreline seemed difficult to turn around and the courage of the players was incredible, to equalize and leave the tie level for the return leg on April 2.

"The team showed great character and worked a very strong match, always playing with the same mentality and with an enormous spirit of competition."

Simeone said he was disappointed his defense conceded two goals from corners, mistakes that he said are unacceptable.

"It's impossible for a team like Barcelona to finish a match without scoring a goal but what bothers me is when they score two goals from set pieces. It's a matter of individual and collective efforts that we need to correct," Simeone said.

"However, the game was not an easy one to play, but the boys showed a competitive spirit that I am passionate about."



Leipzig Signs Bakayoko, Maksimovic and Diomande in Triple-Transfer Blitz

Leganes' Yan Diomande, center, and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior fight for the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, March 29, 2025. (AP)
Leganes' Yan Diomande, center, and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior fight for the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, March 29, 2025. (AP)
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Leipzig Signs Bakayoko, Maksimovic and Diomande in Triple-Transfer Blitz

Leganes' Yan Diomande, center, and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior fight for the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, March 29, 2025. (AP)
Leganes' Yan Diomande, center, and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior fight for the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, March 29, 2025. (AP)

Three in one day.

Leipzig has delivered a statement of intent for the new Bundesliga season by signing Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko, Serbia midfielder Andrija Maksimovic, and Ivory Coast youth international Yan Diomande all on the same day.

The 22-year-old Bakayoko's arrival from PSV Eindhoven was the last of the three announced by Leipzig on Wednesday, following that of the 18-year-old Maksimovic from Red Star Belgrade and Diomande, also 18, from Spanish second-division team Leganés.

All three players signed deals through June 2030, the Bundesliga club said.

Bakayoko, who had also been a target for Bayer Leverkusen, will wear the number 9 at Leipzig.

“We have had Johan Bakayoko on our radar for a couple of years now and have tried to sign him time and again,” Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer said. “We’re even happier that he’s chosen to join Leipzig despite many teams vying for his signature.”

Bakayoko helped PSV to back-to-back Dutch league titles with nine goals in 30 league appearances last season, and 12 in 33 the season before.

“With his power, explosiveness, pace and eye for goal, he’ll improve our play down the right wing and has his strengths both on and off the ball,” Schafer said.

Maksimovic made his professional debut aged 16 in Serbia, then Champions League debut and Serbia debut a year later. He has already played eight games for the national team.

“We’ve followed his progress closely during his first season at senior level and are convinced he’s already ready to take the next step,” Schafer said of Maksimovic.

Diomande spent just one season at Leganes after moving from Florida-based club AS Frenzi. He made his league debut against Real Madrid and scored two goals in 10 La Liga appearances for Leganes, which was relegated at the end of the season.

“He’s a left winger with outstanding pace, strong dribbling, athleticism and a real eye for goal. On top of that, he never gives up on a ball and plays with great team spirit. With these qualities, he fits perfectly into the type of football we want to play this season,” Schafer said.

Leipzig missed out on European qualification last season and will be targeting a top-4 finish in the Bundesliga to reach the lucrative Champions League.

Yussuf Poulsen, who joined Leipzig when it was still in Germany’s third division in 2013, has left for promoted Hamburger SV. Other players, including Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda, are also candidates to leave.

Leipzig was founded in 2009 when energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull bought and rebranded fifth-tier club SSV Markranstadt and financed its rise through the lower divisions.