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."



Brown Rejects ‘Two-Horse Race’ Assessment, Expects Max Move

Zak Brown. (Getty Images)
Zak Brown. (Getty Images)
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Brown Rejects ‘Two-Horse Race’ Assessment, Expects Max Move

Zak Brown. (Getty Images)
Zak Brown. (Getty Images)

McLaren boss Zak Brown dismissed suggestions the Formula One title was a two-horse race between his drivers and said Red Bull's Max Verstappen remained a contender for a fifth championship in a row and was also likely to join Mercedes.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri leads teammate Lando Norris by 15 points, with Verstappen now 61 points behind the Australian after 11 of 24 races.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said in Austria at the weekend, after Verstappen was shunted out on the opening lap, that the battle was effectively over before the mid-point of the season.

"It looks very much like a two-horse race. They (McLaren) have got a cushion to the rest of the field," Horner told reporters.

But Brown told Reuters at an event for McLaren fans in London's Trafalgar Square that it was far too early to say that.

"I think it's a four maybe even a five (horse race)," said the American.

"We're in a great position, but we know how quickly things can change in Formula One. Max isn't that far behind and he's that awesome, and then George (Russell) isn't far behind him and you can definitely see Mercedes is getting tougher and tougher and are not far away.

"And nor is Ferrari so I think (Charles) Leclerc, Max and George, it's way too early to not have them in the race.

"Maybe ask me that question in another five races and I'll answer it differently. But right now, I see those five all in contention for the championship."

Verstappen has been linked repeatedly with Mercedes, who have acknowledged talks with the Dutch driver about a future switch, with 2027 looking more likely.

Brown has said before that he expected Verstappen to join Mercedes eventually and he stood by that.

"There's a lot of noise. I'm a believer of where there's smoke there's fire. No one's kind of denying anything, no one's making firm 'I'm gonna be in this car next year'," he explained.

"So in my experience and reading the tea leaves I feel like something's going on, maybe something's even already done ... it's what makes Formula One fun -- there's always some storyline for everyone to follow, so I think I stand by my prediction."