Simeone: Liverpool are tough but we can hurt them
Diego Simeone, the Atletico Madrid manager, admitted there would be few surprises from him or his team as they seek to hold on to a 1-0 advantage in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool.
A home win three weeks ago gives them something to protect tonight, and throughout his career as a coach Simeone has produced sides who are masters at defensive resilience.
“It is one of our qualities,” said the Argentine, who has won two Europa League titles and reached two Champions League finals during his time in charge.
“If I tell you my plans for the game, it wouldn’t be logical. I think they [Liverpool] know how we will play after eight years of being here.
“We have to keep what we can during the game. Some managers will say, ‘We are going to get forward’. That would be a nice, pleasant dream. But all the thoughts I have before a game, it is down to how much you are motivated on the field.
“Opponents might make you suffer at times in a game. They [Liverpool] have always played almost always with a high line.
“It will be a tough opponent with lots of ways of hurting you in attack.
“Experiences in life always help you, but you have to make sure you don’t repeat mistakes.
“We almost always compete really well at a high level. This game will demand that we are on top form. We think we can hurt them.”
There is a minor fitness doubt over former Real Madrid and onloan Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, but Simeone is confident he will be ready.
“We will look at him in training and we will see how he is then,” Simeone said. “You know pretty much what I will be doing. I don’t think our line-up will be far off from what you think it might be.”
For all the accolades that Atletico’s defence receives, Simeone’s team did squander a 2-0 lead against Juventus from the first leg of the last 16 last season, losing the return match 3-0 to the Italians following a hat-trick by Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We couldn’t play in Turin,” Simeone said. “We couldn’t compete. They never let us compete.”
Liverpool overturned a 3-0 deficit in last year’s semi-final to beat Barcelona, another La Liga side, at Anfield in May and the Atletico manager is well aware of how the atmosphere there can be an advantage.
“I’ve never played here as a manager or a player, but it is an amazing stadium and you can tell on the TV the fans are amazing and get behind their side,” Simeone said.
“They have had some historic results here; turning matches around, great comebacks.
“But obviously it is not just the fans that drive them forward, it is also the good teams they have had over the years.”