Simeone took stock, for starters, on how he experienced the vibrant gam in the new San Mames. "We played against a great opponent. Athletic has a very good team. The first thirty minutes we controlled not the pitch, but the game. We had the first opportunity after Costa tested the keeper early on then Raúl grazed the bar. From the 33, 34 minutes to 45 minutes, Bilbao came strong. The second time we went out strong, we had two chances. Then came the goal that gave us confidence, strength, commitment, intensity and won a game in a very tough field," he said.

The Argentina coach admitted to have "great respect for the Athletic, its fan and its wonderful stadium. Great facilities, and it is a big football stadium. This stage is full of passion and pure football here. Is it enviable as the fans are with the team, they know how to accompany encouraging the team even with the negative result." Simeone said that the team "took a very important step” .

Diego Pablo Simeone is “very grateful” for the effort of the players. He also noted that injuries are a "normal" factor in football. "In the beginning you have to look because only Óliver and Filipe. The others are all fit for Sunday. Let's wait on Friday. When you play three competitions like we're playing, when we are competitive it is normal that these things happen. The work of the players is 100, not even 10, because it is a 100 that gets a result like today, how it we raised it is a huge thank you to the staff," he said.

Finally, Simeone spoke of the semifinal opponent, Real Madrid, always remembering that now "we will prepare the match against Real Sociedad." "This year we will play four matches with Barcelona and four with Madrid. I mean, honestly, it is better for us, because when you play against them you learn more, we make improvements and lose that fear to play that game. Now we’re thinking of the Real Sociedad and when it dcomes around, we'll prepare another great football game," he concluded.