Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone commented on the loss to Real Sociedad (2:2, 3:4 on penalties) in the King's Cup final, BTA reported.
„First, I congratulate our opponents. We reacted well to the first goal, but then we continued at a slow pace. Then the break came, we talked and changed the pace, playing properly. We could have scored a third goal. Then in extra time we had one chance. We fought very well, but unfortunately the penalties went in their favor. The players made a huge effort, but the match was decided in regular time - it was a chance for Johnny or Baena, which we had to take. But, as we always say, they had that determination and we didn't. It's difficult to send messages because the fans want victories, not messages. All that remains is to work every day. I don't think about the match with Arsenal. This defeat hurts a lot; we should have won, but we didn't. The way we play gives me great peace“, Marca quotes the Argentine specialist as saying.
Real Sociedad won the King's Cup in Spain for the fourth time in its history.
In the final, played at the Cartuja stadium in Seville, the Basques beat Atletico Madrid after a penalty shootout. Regular time ended 2-2, no goals were scored in extra time, and Sociedad won 4-3 on penalties.
The match started with a goal for Real Sociedad in the 15th second. Ander Barenchea headed in a cross from Gonzalo Guedes.
In the 18th minute, Atletico equalized with a precise diagonal shot by Ademola Lookman after an assist from Antoine Griezmann.
Two minutes before the break, the referee awarded a penalty to Sociedad for a foul by goalkeeper Juan Musso on Gonzalo Guedes. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot for 2:1.
In the second half, Atletico applied pressure, but had difficulty reaching goal situations, but still in the 83rd minute Julián Álvarez managed to equalize with a precise shot for 2:2.
No new goals were scored in extra time, and in the penalty shootout, Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero became a hero, saving the first two shots by Alexander Sorlot and Julián Álvarez. For the Basques, only Ori Oscarsson missed and Sociedad won 4:3.