Diego Simeone makes bold Tottenham claim ahead of Atletico Madrid Champions League clash
Diego Simeone has revealed who he thinks are the favourites in the Champions League round of 16 clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid.
Spurs travel to the Spanish capital for the first leg with the prospect of relegation from the Premier League hanging over them.
The Lilywhites may have bigger fish to fry domestically, but Igor Tudor may see the clash against Atletico as an opportunity to beat a top side and instil some confidence in the Tottenham squad.
While Tottenham are on the verge of being in the relegation zone, the La Liga side are sitting third in the table, and many would thus consider the Rojiblancos as heavy favourites.
Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid are not favourites against Tottenham
However, Simeone pushed back against the idea that his team are expected to win, pointing out that Tottenham finished 4th in the league phase of the Champions League and qualified directly to the R16.
When asked if Atletico go into the tie as favourites, the Argentine said (via Into the Calderon): “I don’t know what it’s related to, if it’s related to the fact that they made it to the round of 16, finishing where they did, which was fourth. We’re not really favourites. If you want to relate it to their form, it’s up to you how you want to write about it or how you want to convey it to your audience.”
Simeone revealed that he expects Igor Tudor’s side to be positive and play on the frontfoot in Madrid.
He added about Tuesday’s fixture: “We don’t know how Tottenham will start the game. We know their characteristics, I know the coach. He (Igor Tudor) has always played with an offensive mindset with the teams he has been with, regardless of the formation he has used. And, well, we’ll see tomorrow. As we always say, you imagine a lot of situations that, obviously, the players on the field can change.”
Simeone makes admission ahead of Conor Gallagher reunion
The Atletico boss will come up against a very familiar face, having managed Conor Gallagher for 18 months before his switch to Spurs in January.
Simeone had a lot of positive things to say about Gallagher ahead of the midfielder’s return to the Metropolitano Stadium.
When asked about the Tottenham midfielder, the Atleti boss said: “He’s a guy who worked with a lot of humility since he came to us. He’s a hard worker. He’s a player who is very dangerous coming in from the second line.
“He’s a player who can play in different positions because of the collective work he does for the team. He’s a guy who has behaved very well, and we have very fond memories of his time at Atlético Madrid.”
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