Simeone: Atletico Have Evolved Since 2013 Copa del Rey Final

Diego Simeone acknowledges Atletico Madrid's growth since their last Copa del Rey final but emphasizes their unwavering pursuit of trophies. Atleti are set to compete in their 20th Copa del Rey final, with Simeone managing his second, 13 years after his first—a victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013.

This time, Atletico face Real Sociedad, an opponent they have dominated recently. Their 3-2 La Liga win at the Metropolitano extended their unbeaten run against La Real to nine matches (W6 D3), their second-best streak since a Copa del Rey loss in San Sebastian in January 2022.

Reflecting on changes since 2013, Simeone said, "You always evolve; you’re not the same person. Whether you’re 20, 30, or 40, as a player or coach, we’ve grown with the club’s opportunities while keeping our vision and ambition intact."

He added, "Playing in a final is a privilege, and we’ll give everything to win. After Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final success, we’re back to reality. Sociedad are competitive with varied attacking styles, but we’ll aim to exploit their weaknesses."

Real Sociedad have lost only one of their last 21 Copa del Rey matches (W16 D4)—a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2025 semi-finals. Over the past three seasons, they lead the competition in wins (16) and clean sheets (13). Their 2021 triumph, secured by Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner against Athletic Club, remains a highlight.

Oyarzabal noted, "Few of us remain from that final; much has changed. Fan support tomorrow is crucial. Talking means little—we must arrive ready, ensure everyone is fit, and be slightly better than Atletico."