Diego "Cholo" Simeone, head coach of Atlético de Madrid, admitted this Friday that he didn’t watch the Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Celta de Vigo, but mentioned he was told about "incidents during the game," similar to those that, in his words, "have existed for a hundred years." He made these remarks during a press conference following the morning training session of the rojiblanco team.

Controversies Are Nothing New, Says Simeone

At Atlético’s training ground in Majadahonda, a journalist asked Simeone if the recent events involving Barcelona and what happened in the Real Madrid game were cause for concern. The question referred to a possible penalty not awarded to Celta, which led to Kylian Mbappé scoring the opening goal at the Bernabéu.

"I didn’t watch yesterday’s match, to be honest. I was told about incidents during the game, but they’ve been happening for a hundred years, so I don’t know what surprises you," the Argentine coach replied, emphasizing that such situations are not new in Spanish football.

Competing Against the Giants

When asked if it’s possible to compete against teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona under these circumstances, Simeone responded assertively: "Yes, because everyone has competed for a hundred years and continues to compete. Yes, it is possible."

The rojiblanco coach highlighted that, despite potential controversies, smaller-budget teams have historically proven themselves competitive, standing their ground against the two giants of Spanish football.

Another Challenge in LaLiga

Atlético de Madrid is preparing for their next match against Leganés, aiming to maintain their positive form this season. While the rojiblanco squad often finds itself overshadowed by the media attention given to the two major clubs, Simeone and his team remain committed to fighting at the top of the table.

The "Cholo" stays undistracted by external controversies and focuses on keeping his team competitive, reminding everyone that, despite the challenges, football’s battles are constant and not solely determined by refereeing decisions.