A former Atlético de Madrid player warns before facing Barça: “They have a better squad”

The Atlético de Madrid setting breathes a specific ambiance after the primary spherical towards the Blaugrana group. Bittersweet style within the Metropolitan parish: a bitter stick for a defeat, marked by elusive fortune and doubtful arbitration choices; but additionally the conviction of getting competed head to head. The mattress group demonstrated, with a lineup stuffed with rotations, that the group works and that the resistance supplied till Lewandowski’s unlucky objective is the way in which to observe to get again on monitor.

Though he didn’t fail to focus on the controversial play of the day, Cholo Simeone most well-liked to focus his speech on the nice efficiency of his gamers within the first half and that within the second, regardless of the numerical inferiority after Nico’s expulsion, the group maintained its defensive work with order and self-discipline, an effort that solely truncated a objective after an opportunity rebound. The followers cling to this good sport, understanding that if the much less frequent gamers confirmed up, a extra beginning eleven needs to be effectively ready to compete.

An authoritative voice in Atleti invitations optimism

A former Atlético participant has given a latest interview for the newspaper Sport, the place he has vindicated the crimson and white satisfaction, and the profitable perspective with which the group should face the quarterfinals. That is Alfredo Santaelena, a participant who wore the shirt for 5 seasons, profitable two King’s Cups with the crimson and white group.

Requested how the group ought to exit towards Barcelona, ​​Alfredo may be very clear: “I feel they need to not really feel inferior, press excessive, not be a group afraid of getting behind as a result of Barça feels snug there. The transition needs to be by taking part in the ball, with help.”

🔴 SPORT INTERVIEW | Alfredo Santaelena, former Atleti participant

“I ask this Atleti to be courageous. They’ve a greater squad than Barça”

✍️ @scapde_45 https://t.co/N0ohxAZ0wO

— Diario SPORT (@sport) April 6, 2026

Alfredo, who right now is a member of the Atlético de Madrid group of legends, highlights the expansion of the membership lately: “It has grown loads in all elements: construction, variety of staff, social mass and competitiveness. Right now it’s a rather more highly effective membership than in our time.” Moreover, he doesn’t hesitate to offer flowers to his coach, Cholo Simeone, highlighting that he has been a key level and a pillar of the expansion of Atlético de Madrid; though he additionally clarifies that nobody is everlasting and that when his time on the membership ends, Atlético de Madrid will proceed its progress.

No complexes towards Barcelona

Requested concerning the high quality of the groups that can face one another this Wednesday, Alfredo doesn’t hesitate and is extra emphatic than anybody might count on: “I consider that Atlético at present has a greater squad than Barça. If we speak concerning the wardrobe, individually it’s one thing else. You have got sources in all positions, top-level gamers.”

Relating to the match itself, Alfredo believes that Atlético should include Barcelona’s preliminary push, after which benefit from its weapons and unbalancing gamers, amongst which Marcos Llorente stands out, to beat the Blaugrana group. He invitations the crimson and white gamers to overlook complexes and deal with Barcelona as an equal, a rival they’ll beat.

And what do you inform us? Do you agree with Alfredo Santaelena, does Atleti have a superior squad to Barça? We learn you within the feedback.