Tottenham have been drawn against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League with both ties set to take place next month
Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid director Mateu Alemany have both made it clear they will not underestimate Tottenham in the Champions League - despite their shocking Premier League form.
The two sides are set to meet in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition following Friday's draw in Switzerland and a box-office quarter-final clash against Barcelona or Newcastle is up for grabs.
Simeone said this afternoon when delivering his initial reaction to the match-up with Spurs: "Tottenham Hotspur in the UCL round of 16? I'm thinking about Real Oviedo.
"There will be time to talk about Tottenham, who is a tough opponent, an important club in world football. But we’ll speak more about them when the time comes."
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Meanwhile, Alemany also made it clear Atletico have full respect for the Europa League winners, who finished fourth in the league phase standings.
He said after avoiding Liverpool: “Either opponent would have been extremely difficult. You have to look at their [Tottenham's] European record, which has been brilliant. A top-level team, a Premier League favourite, whatever the draw, it was going to be tough. The important thing is to focus on our performance.”
Interestingly for Spurs and Igor Tudor, they will receive an extra period of rest ahead of the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico play the second-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona (leading 4-0 on aggregate) before Tottenham host Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
But beyond that, Spurs have a free weekend because they've already been eliminated in the FA Cup while Atletico host Real Sociedad in La Liga action.
Alemany isn't too worried though, stating: “We know we’re in the highest level of competition, facing the highest level of rivals and difficulty.
“It depends on the opponent, their ability to rotate their squad in their domestic league. Whatever happens, we can’t change it; we’ll accept it and adapt.”
Spurs travel to Atletico on March 10 before the return fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 18.
Should Tudor's men progress, they could face a potential North London Derby in the semi-final against Arsenal further down the line.
For that to happen, they'd have to battle past Atletico and then the winners of Barcelona versus Newcastle.