Koke: "We Wanted the Game to End as Soon as Possible, This is the Happiest Defeat of My Life"
T.E (Elbotola)
04 March 2026at00:55
Atletico Madrid captain Jorge Koke stated that his team knew they would suffer against Barcelona in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, a match they lost 3-0. However, they achieved their primary goal by qualifying for the final after securing a 4-0 victory in the first leg at home.
Speaking to the press after the return leg, Koke said, "Our fans are very excited to lift the trophy. We knew we would suffer. We had chances in the first half but we didn't convert them into goals."
He continued, "Barcelona is a great team. Their young players are at their peak, and they have Pedri, the best player in the world... In the first half, we could have sealed things, but we didn't do it."
Koke concluded by saying, "We wanted the game to end as soon as possible, and this is the happiest defeat of my life."
What was Koke's reaction to Atletico Madrid's loss against Barcelona?
Atletico Madrid captain Koke described the 3-0 defeat to Barcelona as "the happiest defeat of my life," despite the scoreline. His team achieved their main objective by qualifying for the Copa del Rey final, having secured a significant first-leg advantage.
How did Atletico Madrid qualify for the Copa del Rey final despite losing the second leg?
Atletico Madrid qualified for the Copa del Rey final by winning their first-leg match at home with a substantial lead. This aggregate advantage meant that even a second-leg loss to Barcelona did not prevent their progression to the final.
What is the significance of this qualification for Atletico Madrid and their fans?
This qualification is highly significant for Atletico Madrid and their supporters, who are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to lift the Copa del Rey trophy. Koke noted the fans' excitement, highlighting the team's primary goal of securing silverware.
