Simeone praises Tuchel’s impact

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has heaped praise on Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of tonight’s Champions League last-16 first leg.

The tie will take place in Bucharest instead of Madrid due to coronavirus travel restrictions and will see the Argentinian face the German for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge last month he has guided the Blues to five wins out of seven in all competitions, and also led former club Paris St Germain to the final of the Champions League in August.

“We just have to make a good game against a very big team, with a new coach, a very big coach and an important one that did his job everywhere he went to,” Simeone said.

“Chelsea is a very strong club, they develop every time and every year.

“They brought Tuchel but it is a really big team and since he came he put a good change in the numbers.”

David Martindale has confessed he is relieved to finally focus on this weekend’s Betfred Cup final after tying himself in knots trying to prevent his Livingston players from looking too far ahead.

With a top-six place still to secure and a European spot to win, the Lions manager has been urging his squad not to let their minds drift towards their Hampden showdown with St Johnstone.

But he admits that has been an almost impossible task – without mentioning the final.

Now preparations for Sunday are full steam ahead in the wake of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren, Martindale is urging his side to grasp their opportunity to become heroes.

He said: “Now I’m looking forward to the final. To be honest, I’ve tried not to think about it too much. I’ve tried to take the boys’ minds off it as well.

“I don’t know how I’ve been doing that – because all you speak about is not speaking about it. So, you’re indirectly speaking about it! It’s a difficult one.”