Koke responds to FC Barcelona’s bad loss: “We have been fair winners”

Atlético de Madrid reached the European semifinals ten years later, lastly eliminating Barcelona in an unforgettable historic evening. The 1-2 defeat was inadequate to beat the resounding 0-2 at Camp Nou beforehand achieved by the Madrid pink and whites. After the match, a number of Barça footballers confirmed apparent discomfort on the continental elimination suffered towards Atlético de Madrid throughout April. Nonetheless, Koke responded forcefully, defending the entire aggressive benefit of Atlético de Madrid all through the demanding European tie.

The pink and white captain appeared excited earlier than the official media after qualifying for the continental semifinals after a full decade. “Happy with the work we’re doing all through the season,” Koke declared instantly after ending a tremendously demanding tie towards Barcelona. “Now we have performed towards probably the most troublesome opponents doable,” Koke clearly added, additionally remembering the extraordinary offensive expertise continually proven by Barcelona. The midfielder particularly valued the Barça youth, though he absolutely defended the pink and white superiority proven in the course of the two decisive Champions League matches this season.

Atlético de Madrid and Koke reply to Barcelona’s protests

Koke wished to reply particularly to the referee protests that arose from varied Barcelona sectors over the last hours after the match performed final evening. “Now we have been honest winners with our work and our effort,” mentioned Koke, as soon as once more defending the general efficiency proven by all his red-and-white teammates. “With those that have performed and the assist from exterior,” Koke later continued, additionally highlighting the decisive significance of the bench all through the tie. For the captain, Atlético de Madrid competed higher when a very powerful difficulties actually appeared in each video games towards Barcelona.

The captain’s evaluation 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/WsoYlhTnG8

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) April 15, 2026

The footballer additionally acknowledged that the beginning of the match was initially particularly troublesome for Atlético de Madrid’s pursuits in the course of the first half hour. “We did not begin the sport effectively, we conceded two objectives,” Koke actually admitted after acknowledging a number of defensive errors in the course of the first minutes of the European match. Regardless of all the pieces, Atlético de Madrid reacted shortly, discovering aggressive steadiness once more due to the vital purpose scored earlier than the common break. Moreover, the third Barça purpose ended up being appropriately annulled attributable to an unlawful place that ended up avoiding a dramatic additional time contained in the utterly full Metropolitano.

Koke seems to be to the way forward for Atlético de Madrid after reaching the semifinals

Koke additionally wished to dwell particularly on the expansion skilled by the red-and-white entity over the last fifteen years of extraordinary institutional evolution. “Happy with the expansion of the membership within the final fourteen or fifteen years,” mentioned Koke, excitedly recalling all of the progress made since Simeone’s arrival. Atlético de Madrid’s subsequent problem will come instantly in the course of the subsequent cup last scheduled this Saturday towards Actual Sociedad. “Now we have a last on Saturday that we need to win,” Koke defined later, making utterly clear the present monumental degree of ambition present internally.