Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, has backed his team to deliver during their Champions League last-16 derby clash on Tuesday, against rivals Real Madrid.
Part of his words were; “I always put Barcelona and Real Madrid where they are because of their history, so nothing has changed,” Simeone told reporters Monday.
“They both have a tremendous history and we are pure growth, which is very nice.” “As we always relate situations to history, and history exists, Real Madrid’s history in the Champions League is extraordinary, and tomorrow we have a big opportunity,” continued Simeone.
Record 15-time winners and current holders Los Blancos host Simeone’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg, having eliminated them four times in little over a decade.
Real Madrid beat Simeone’s Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals as well as the 2017 semi-finals.
According to statistics, Atletico have never won the Champions League, as they have finishing runners-up on three occasions.
Atletico are battling with Spain’s big two for the La Liga title and are currently second, one point behind Barca and two ahead of Los Blancos.
Simeone believes the intense domestic battle will have no bearing on their European tie.
“I see a game with a lot of respect against a great opponent and I think they respect us in the same way,” said the coach. “I think all the previous games will have no impact at all, this is the Champions League.
