Simeone reminds everyone what Atletico Madrid did to Barcelona this season: ‘Knocked out the best team in world twice’ | OneFootball

Diego Simeone had no problem admitting that Barcelona have been the best side in Spain this season. 

But while praising the newly crowned La Liga champions, the Atletico Madrid manager also took a moment to remind everyone of one detail he clearly has not forgotten.

Speaking ahead of Atletico Madrid’s La Liga clash against Osasuna, Simeone reflected on Barcelona’s title-winning campaign under Hansi Flick and praised the level the Catalan side has shown throughout the season.

“Barcelona are the best team in the world. They won La Liga playing very well, just like last season,” he said, as quoted by SPORT.

Still, there was also a sense of pride in the Argentine coach’s words.

As impressive as Barcelona have looked domestically, Simeone could not help but think back to Atletico’s knockout victories against the same team earlier in the campaign.

“And the only thing I could think of while watching the match was: ‘We’ve knocked this team out twice, my goodness!’”

Atletico had Barcelona’s number in knockout

Few teams managed to consistently trouble Barcelona this season, but Atletico Madrid proved to be one of them.

Atletico knocked Barcelona out in two competitions. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The two sides faced each other six times across all competitions this season – twice in La Liga, twice in the Copa del Rey and twice in the UEFA Champions League.

In the league, Barcelona clearly had the edge, as the first meeting ended in a dominant 3-1 victory for the Blaugrana at home, while the return fixture saw Flick’s side once again come out on top with a 2-1 win.

But once the games became knockout ties, the story changed completely.

In the Copa del Rey semi-final, Atletico Madrid stunned Barcelona in the first leg by racing into a huge 4-0 advantage, putting themselves in control of the tie.

Barcelona tried to respond in the second leg and managed to win 3-0, but it was not enough to overturn the damage already done.

Something similar happened again in Europe.

During the Champions League quarter-final, Atletico once more struck early and built a 2-0 lead in the first leg. 

Barcelona pushed hard in the return fixture and won 2-1, but Simeone’s side still advanced 3-2 on aggregate.