Schweinsteiger aims to show ‘best of MLS’ against Atletico
BASTIAN Schweinsteiger hopes Atletico Madrid’s final game of their US tour won’t descend into a flurry of mayhem and red cards when the MLS All-Stars take on Diego Simeone’s team on Wednesday.
Atletico’s 7-3 win over Real Madrid in New Jersey on Friday saw both La Liga clubs reduced to 10 men in an unusually highly charged pre-season encounter.
Atleti continue their preparations for the forthcoming La Liga season when they take on the best of Major League Soccer in Orlando, with a near sell-out crowd of 25,000 expected at Exploria Stadium.
German World Cup winner Schweinsteiger, who plays in MLS for Chicago Fi re, bel ieves Si meone’s side were f ired by t he presence of L os Bla ncos a nd is ada mant his tea m-mates, coached by Orla ndo Cit y’s James O’Connor, can prosper wit hout k ick i ng lu mps out of t he opposition.
“Intense games are always good but the other night I am sure the rivalry between the teams also played a part,” Schweinsteiger, the former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder, said.
“I think this will be different – we don’t want to hurt anyone, we just want to play our way and we want to show what is the best of MLS.”
The All-Star game in MLS, like those in the NBA and Major League Baseball, is designed as a mid-season exhibition respite.
Although with Simeone preparing for a st rong cha l lenge i n La L iga a nd t he Cha mpions L eag ue, t he Spaniards – who have spent upwards of € 219 million ($240 million) t his summer follow ing t he departures of Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Herna ndez a nd Rodr i – wi l l be ver y competitive.
“I like this All-Star concept a lot, you play with the best players in the league, have a different coach – this one is Irish – and we are playing against a top team from Europe so will be a good test,” Schweinsteiger said.
Focus on Felix
“They have invested a lot of money in new players, they are very strong, very tough and they have a very good coach.
“It won’t be easy but if we show our qualit y, we can def initely compete.
“Their approach is dictated by Simeone. He’s done an amazing job over the last five years and they have become one the top teams in Europe. That’s why it will be interesting.”
At let ico, who ta ke t hei r tou r to Mex ico at t he weekend, rema i n angr y with Barcelona over the sa le of French star Antoine Griezmann, whose € 120 million ($135 million) transfer was contested by At leti.
Discussions between the two Spanish giants are on-going, but Simeone refused to be drawn into a war of words with his recently departed striker.
“I value the performance from him,” the Argentine said. “He has answered everything on the field and wish him nothing but the best at Barcelona. And that is it.”
With Griezmann gone, the focus now is on Portuguese wonderkid Joao Felix who was signed earlier this summer from Benfica for € 126 million ($142 million).
Compatriot Nani, who will play for the MLS All-Stars at his home ground on Wednesday, predicts a bright future for the 19-year-old midfielder who impressed in the previous match against Real.
“He has been showing his potentia l to be a f uture sta r for Portuga l, he had a great season with Benfica last year but he is still young,” t he for mer Manchester United midf ielder said.
“He has started well and already shown he is talented so let’s see how he gets on.”