Champions League or bust for Atletico after Copa del Rey agony

TL;DR

Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone expressed disappointment after losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad, decided by penalties. The team now focuses on the upcoming Champions League semi-finals against Arsenal.

Key points

Atletico Madrid lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad
The match ended in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw
Diego Simeone expressed disappointment but aims to refocus on the Champions League
Atletico will face Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals
The first leg is scheduled for April 29

Atletico MadridReal SociedadArsenal

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone was downhearted after the defeat by Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final (Thomas COEX) (Thomas COEX/AFP/AFP) Diego Simeone tried to convey hope but his body language spoke for itself. The Argentine coach left Seville crumpled, wounded, by his team's Copa del Rey final defeat on Saturday by Real Sociedad, decided by the cruelty of penalties. Simeone led Atletico to the Spanish cup back in 2013, an eternity ago, and winning it again would have been the perfect springboard to send the club flying into the Champions League semi-finals clash with Arsenal. Atletico have never won that trophy and they had real belief they could do it this year, belief which was badly dented this weekend. The last time they won silverware of any kind was La Liga in 2021, with Luis Suarez leading the charge in attack. Winning the Copa would have ensured French star Antoine Griezmann could depart with a trophy under his arm, and end the club's drought. During the Simeone era, the club have started to escape the nickname they had -- El Pupas, the jinxed one -- given to them after they lost the 1974 European Cup final against Bayern. Simeone said his team could pick themselves back up from the defeat, 4-3 in the shoot-out after the gripping 2-2 draw, with Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez missing from the spot for the Rojiblancos. "The way we competed makes me calm," said the coach, but it will take effort to get his players in the right place mentally to take on Arsenal, with the first leg in the Spanish capital on April 29. "I'm not thinking about Arsenal, what happens today hurts me a lot. We needed to win and we couldn't win," said Simeone. "The fans don't need messages (from me), what they need is to win." Over 30,000 Atletico fans travelled down to Seville and left downhearted. Simeone had pledged the team were "ready" to win the Champions League after they eliminated earlier in the week but they failed the litmus test against La Real. "We still have the Champions League, we have a beautiful tie ahead of us," said Atletico midfielder , trying to raise spirits. "We have to thank everyone, above all those who came to Seville, we're really hurting for them. We have to lift our heads up."

Q&A

What was the outcome of the Copa del Rey final for Atletico Madrid?

Atletico Madrid lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.

Who did Atletico Madrid face in the Champions League semi-finals?

Atletico Madrid will face Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.

When is the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals for Atletico?

The first leg of the Champions League semi-finals for Atletico Madrid is scheduled for April 29.

How did Diego Simeone react to the Copa del Rey defeat?

Diego Simeone expressed his disappointment and acknowledged the need for his team to mentally recover for the upcoming Champions League match.