Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone seemed positive and calm confidently for their Champions League round of 16 collision with city rivals Real Madrid. Los Rojiblancos has only been defeated once since October and runs ahead of Los Blancos in La Liga.
Simeone stated that he did not believe that there was a favorite for the competition, and he did not reveal his intentions for the first stage. In his eyes, the release of a statement and the life of the second stage was related to each other.
“It is a match with great respect, against a large rival. I understand that they respect us in the same way. If it was a team from a different competition, we would not touch these problems. It is spectacular for the city. For Spain, to allow a Spanish team to participate in the quarterfinals … and for us who are going to play, to enjoy it. It is a very important moment, with a highly respected rival and we are ready. “
The form of Julian Alvarez in recent weeks has led to some people asked if he is at the same level of Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid. Simeone was reluctant to make a ceiling on its progress.
“We don't know yet. He is very young, he has to continue to improve, he has room for improvement and hopefully we as a coaching staff and his teammates can continue to grow him because he looks full, with energy, with a desire to do more and that will influence his growth. “
It is unlikely that the motivation is a problem for Los Colchoneros, who stay alive and good in all three major competitions.
“I am very excited, as if it were my first day in Atletico. I came up with the desire to take the club to an important place in Europe, with respect for the values, the history as a team, and I think we represent that. We live extraordinary times as a club and we have to enjoy these moments and compete in the best possible way. “
However, he still placed Barcelona and Real Madrid at a different level.
“I have always put Barcelona and Madrid where they are because of the history they have. We are pure growth, which is very nice. “
Simeone was also asked about the increase in the number of goals on the counterattack.
“So is the score of goals on the counterattack an improvement? So it's positive? Because you normally like something else, “said Simeone, the use of it as an opportunity to tackle the style of Atletico.
“I am happy because Julian is doing very well and the team has a playing style that is represented in the way the club plays and how it always competes. We continue to stimulate his tools. “
For the most part, Atletico looks like they have a fixed line-up that go into their collision in the Santiago Bernabeu, with the primary question that runs whether Samuel Lino or Conor Gallagher will start. The two earlier meetings between the couple this season ended in 1-1 draws.
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