With Antoine Griezmann unavailable, Álvaro Morata is among those who will have to step up at San Mamés. | Photo by Francisco Macia/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Atlético will have to rally in the Copa del Rey ? without its best player. Diego Simeone on Wednesday told reporters that star forward Antoine Griezmann will not play Thursday night at San Mamés, where Atlético de Madrid will try to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Athletic Club and advance to the Copa del Rey final against Mallorca.
Griezmann twisted his ankle eight days ago against Inter Milan, an injury that forced him off the pitch at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, shortly before Atlético Madrid fell behind in that tie. Griezmann has been working hard this to ensure his availability for Thursday?s semifinal second leg, but Simeone on Wednesday closed the door to any possibility that the France international would make a miraculous recovery in time for kickoff. ?Antoine will not take part in the match,? El Cholo confirmed to the media on Wednesday. ?We need him to recover well. He made a great effort to be available.?

Simeone, en rueda de prensa:

"Antoine no va a participar en el partido".

"Necesitamos que se recupere bien".

"Hizo un grandísimo esfuerzo para estar a disposición". pic.twitter.com/QuXWjDf7qi? Relevo (@relevo) February 28, 2024

Griezmann?s absence is a big blow to Atlético, but Simeone told reporters on Wednesday that he was no...