Atletico Madrid and Getafe to battle for Copa del Rey semi-final spot

Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid's manager, addressed the media before the match. "We are focused on advancing," Simeone said. "We know what we need to do to hurt Getafe and keep our campaign alive in the competition."

Getafe's manager, Jose Bordalas, acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "We have no illusions of an easy game. Atletico Madrid have shown tremendous intensity and aggression in recent matches against Real Sociedad, Barcelona, and Sevilla. They know how to play and when a team knows their game, they are always dangerous."

Inside the Atletico dressing room, the message is clear: focus on the game, not the upcoming derby. "No, there was no need for any special messages," Simeone has said, indicating the team's focus is solely on the task at hand.

With the title in sight due to fewer matches in the competition, Simeone remains cautious. "You never know because it all depends on getting through this match. Our goal is to reach the final, but we must first deal with Getafe," he added.

Simeone also touched on player rotation, emphasizing quality and readiness over quantity. "We secure players who are in the best condition to take the game forward, focusing only on Getafe," he said.

Regarding the level of officiating, Simeone expressed a balanced view. "Referees have historically been under scrutiny. It's a tough job; everyone has an opinion, but decisions need to be made quickly. With VAR, things can be much better, and I believe in that," he commented.

Despite Atletico's dominance in past encounters with Getafe, Simeone keeps perspective. "We live match by match, day by day. There's no other thought than the game tomorrow," he remarked.

On the player front, defender Jose Maria Gimenez is in a competitive battle for his spot. "He has good internal competition. We need to see them at their best; only then will they play," Simeone noted.

For left-back Javi Galan, there's potential for inclusion. "He's likely to be called up, and we'll decide tomorrow if he'll be among the 22. He trained well, looked sharp, so we'll see what I decide tomorrow," Simeone said.

Finally, on the topic of VAR and its complexities, Simeone explained, "It's a complex situation. When explained, it's not always clear. Look at the Euro finals' quarterfinal where Cucurella's handball was debated; even he said he wanted to kill himself after watching the replay. These are matters of interpretation."

This match promises to be a tactical battle under the lights of Madrid, with both teams looking to edge closer to silverware.

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