Diego Simeone makes surprise Tottenham claim ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League clash
Diego Simeone thinks Tottenham Hotspur are the favourites for the Champions League Round of 16 tie against his Atletico Madrid team.
Tottenham Hotspur have a much-welcomed distraction from Premier League action as they face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
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Despite being in a relegation battle, Spurs are into the knockout stages of the Champions League and face a tough test against the Spanish giants.
Regardless of Tottenham’s domestic form, Simeone remains wary of the North London club and has been speaking ahead of the clash.
Diego Simone calls Tottenham ‘favourites’ vs Atletico Madrid
Diego Simone believes that Tottenham are ‘favourites’ over Atletico Madrid, given they finished fourth in the Champions League group stage.
Meanwhile, his Atleti team were forced to come through the playoffs, beating Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate.
Speaking to the media in the Spanish capital, Simeone said: “They came in fourth in the first phase, and we came through the playoffs. Actually, we’re not the favourites. That’s something you guys write about.”
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Atletico are enjoying a much better domestic campaign than Spurs as they are currently third in La Liga, behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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Simeone claims to know Igor Tudor well and is expecting Tottenham to attack them at the Wanda Metropolitano.
“We don’t know how Tottenham will play. But I know their manager, and he’s always had an attacking mindset. We’ll see tomorrow. You can imagine many situations, but then the players change them.”
The Argentine manager has never once faced Tottenham in Europe, and this will be his first meeting with the Lilywhites.
Diego Simeone hails Conor Gallagher’s Tottenham move
During the January transfer window, Tottenham paid £36 million to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher has been disappointing at Tottenham so far, but Simeone is a big fan of the midfielder and is looking forward to facing him.
Simeone added: “Very humble, very dangerous. Can play different positions on the pitch. Massive work ethic. He has great behaviour, and we have very good memories of his spell at Atletico Madrid.”