Diego Simeone doesn’t imagine his Atletico Madrid facet might be thought-about favourites for his or her Champions League last-16 tie with Tottenham.
Spurs eased by the league section, ending within the prime eight to go straight by to the final 16. Atletico, in the meantime, needed to come by a testing playoff-round tie with Membership Brugge, the Rojiblancos profitable 7-4 on combination.
However the two sides are in vastly contrasting positions of their respective home leagues.
Whereas Atletico maintained their benefit within the race for third in LaLiga with a 3-2 win over Actual Sociedad on Saturday, Tottenham slumped to a dismal 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace final Thursday, leaving them only a level above the Premier League relegation zone.
Regardless of Tottenham’s predicament, Simeone rejected the suggestion that Atletico are favourites.
Atletico have by no means a Champions League knockout sport at residence underneath Simeone, who took over in 2011.
However he advised a pre-match press convention: “Whenever you step onto the sector, you don’t take into consideration the standings or the second within the season. The gamers need to win and play good soccer. I don’t know anybody who thinks about league place when hanging the ball.
“Atletico can’t be thought-about favourites towards Tottenham. For those who take a look at their present place within the Premier League… it relies on the way you interpret it.”
Requested what worries him about going through a Tottenham facet that has not gained within the Premier League in 2026, Simeone replied: “Soccer is a sport, and when you’ve gotten a squad like theirs, it deserves full respect.
“We’ve got to convey the match into the areas the place we imagine we are able to trigger injury.”
How can Spurs hassle Atletico?
Tottenham’s Champions League performances have belied their dismal Premier League kind, and one participant to whom they could flip within the Metropolitano is Randal Kolo Muani.
Kolo Muani has been immediately concerned in 5 objectives (three objectives, two assists) in seven video games for Tottenham within the Champions League this season.
That tally is his most in a single version of the Champions League, and solely two gamers have netted greater than three objectives of their first Champions League marketing campaign as a Spurs participant: Gareth Bale and Peter Crouch (each 4 in 2010-11).
There are six Premier League groups within the final 16 of the Champions League, and the tempo of the Premier League has been recognized as a purpose for the English golf equipment’ historic success within the competitors.
Requested in regards to the tempo with which they play, Simeone replied: “They do play at a better tempo. I can’t say precisely why — some say referees permit extra, others say it’s ways or preparation.
“However the truth stays: the tempo is increased. You may even see it on TV — it’s quicker than in Spain, Italy, or Germany. It’s the league with the quickest tempo.
“I don’t assume English groups win solely due to depth; in addition they have excessive technical high quality.”
If Spurs can produce that blend of depth and high quality, then their hopes of contesting a last-eight tie with Barcelona or Newcastle United will enhance.
However each these attributes have been sorely missing from Tottenham’s performances on this league this season, and there’s little to counsel that winless interim supervisor Igor Tudor’s first Champions League knockout sport will finish with Spurs vindicating Simeone’s curious declare.
