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Tag: Diego Simeone

  • UCL: Simeone expects fireworks  from Madrid, Atletico  duel in Bernabeu

    UCL: Simeone expects fireworks  from Madrid, Atletico  duel in Bernabeu

    Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone admitted city rivals Real Madrid have the more illustrious history but backed his own team to deliver ahead of their tantalising Champions League last-16 derby clash today.

    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, 2015 quarters and on the only other occasion they have met in the competition, in the 1959 semis.

    Atletico have never won the Champions League, finishing as runners-up on three occasions, while Madrid are considered the ‘kings of Europe’ and Catalan giants Barcelona have lifted the trophy five times.

     “I always put Barcelona and Real Madrid where they are because of their history, so nothing has changed,” Simeone told reporters at his press conference.  “They both have a tremendous history and we are pure growth, which is very nice.”

    The coach said his team had a chance to write a new story at the Bernabeu.

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    “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.

    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.

    “If we played against a team that wasn’t in our league, we would not get into that… I think for the city, for Madrid, it’s spectacular that Atletico and Real Madrid are facing off.”

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  • New Champions League format not easy for anyone, says Simeone

    New Champions League format not easy for anyone, says Simeone

    The new Champions League format means it is not easy for any team, said Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone before his side visit Czech champions Sparta Prague tonight.

    Europe’s top-tier club competition now has 36 teams in a league table, a format where each side faces eight different opponents instead of groups with three home and-away ties.

    The top eight qualify automatically for the last 16 and the next 16 go into a two-legged playoff to join them.

    “From what the results are showing us, and what happens in the games, I understand that this format invites everyone to pay even more attention,” Simeone told a press conference on Monday.

    “Once we move forward and this first experience is over, we will have a clearer idea of ​​what we really think (of it).

    “They always put pressure on you to win. That happened before too, but now it is a league where everyone plays against everyone and it is not easy for anyone.”

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    Atletico seem to be still adjusting to the change, with two wins and two losses as they sit 23rd in the 36-team standings – just inside the playoff positions.

    They came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Paris St Germain last time out through a last-gasp goal from Angel Correa.

    “The Champions League demands the most from you. It forces you to win,” said Simeone, who celebrated his 700th game as Atletico coach last weekend.

    Rivals Sparta, fourth in the Czech First League, have won once in their four Champions League games. They have failed to win in six of their last seven matches in all competitions.

    “They’re tough opponents … and at home they have a fast pace,” Simeone added. “I can’t imagine any other situation than taking this game to where we think we can do some damage.

    “It often happens that all teams, at home and at the start of games, show intensity and strength. It’s logical as they are with their fans. You have to adapt to the pace of that start. We’re away from home and the opponent will push very hard.

  • Ronaldo fined $22,000 by UEFA for celebration gesture

    Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined $22,600 dollars by UEFA for appearing to make an obscene gesture while celebrating his side’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

    The Portugal international was guilty of “improper conduct,’’ the control, ethics and disciplinary body of the European football organisation ruled on Thursday.

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    Ronaldo had gestured to his crotch following the final whistle after his hat-trick earned Juventus a 3-0 win over Atletico on March 12, which sent the Italians into the Champions League quarter-finals 3-2 on aggregate.

    The gesture appeared to be a response to Atletico Coach Diego Simeone, who had celebrated in similar fashion during his team’s 2-0 win in the home leg.

    Simeone was subsequently also fined 20,000 euros by UEFA.

    NAN

  • Eagles have quality players – Diego Simeone

    Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone on Tuesday said Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B possess the qualitie needed to play in the top leagues in Europe.

    The Europa League winning coach spoke at the post-match conference after Tuesday’s 3-2 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    “There are talents in Nigeria and with the players that played today, they have the quality to join the top clubs in the world,” he said at the post-match conference.

    While hailing the team’s excellent spirit, Simone however expressed delight at the victory which he admitted did not come easy. “It was not an easy game for us, but in the end, I’m glad we got the victory,” he said.

    It was a highly entertaining encounter, that had the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel in attendance and other top dignitaries.

    Kelechi Nwakali and Usman Mohammed scored for the Eagles with Angel Correa, Fernando Torres and Borja Garces finding the net for the visitors.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles chief coach, Salisu Yusuf has showered praises on his boys despite the limited training sessions together. He noted that he was pleased that Eagles Head Gernot Rohr was in the stands to see the qualities from the players.

  • La Liga: Atletico held by Betis, Las Palmas relegated

    Atletico Madrid failed to break down Real Betis in a 0-0 draw on Sunday which further reduced their slim chances of catching FC Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

    Elsewhere, Las Palmas were relegated after a crushing 4-0 home defeat by Alaves.

    Diego Simeone’s Atletico moved 11 points behind FC Barcelona with four games remaining and the unbeaten leaders need one more point to win the title.

    With the Europa League semi-final first leg match at Arsenal on Thursday in mind, Simeone rotated key players and Betis tried to take advantage.

    Javi Garcia missed two excellent chances and Cristian Tello struck the post for the visitors, who extended their club record run of games without conceding a goal to six.

    However, Atletico’s defensive resilience ended Betis’ run of six wins in a row as they recorded their 11th consecutive home clean sheet.

    Aissa Mandi headed a Fernando Torres effort off the line and Saul Niguez struck the bar as Atletico also came close, but neither side could earn a victory.

    “The team is heading into Thursday’s game really well,” Simeone said. “We made important changes and the players responded. I had to rotate to ensure we had fresh players.”

    In a mostly-empty stadium at Canary Islands, Munir El Haddadi struck twice with Alvaro Medran and Ruben Sobrino also netting as four second-half goals from Alaves consigned Las Palmas to relegation.

    Paco Jemez’s side have 21 points from 34 games and are 13 short of Levante in 17th with only four matches left and they will join bottom side Malaga in the second division next season.

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    “Beyond the fact that this is a sad day, because we go down to the second division, it’s also sad because of the result. We went down in the worst way possible,” said Jemez.

    “We are as sad as ( the fans ). We didn’t want this moment to arrive but we will keep working because there are still a lot of things to fight for.

    “We must be responsible with the image of the club.”

    Alaves’ triumph confirms their safety, sitting 13th with 41 points from 34 games.

    It is an impressive feat masterminded by Abelardo Fernandez who took over in December with the Basque side bottom of the table.

    Malaga beat Real Sociedad 2-0 and Espanyol won 2-0 at Girona to damage their Catalan rivals’ dreams of finishing in a Europa League spot.

    The result left Girona ninth and Espanyol 16th in the standings, 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

    Las Palmas have gone 12 matches without a victory and this was their fifth straight defeat.

    NAN

  • Argentina FA targets Simeone as Martino’s replacement

    Argentina FA targets Simeone as Martino’s replacement

    Argentina Football Association (AFA) has approached Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, to take over as new coach of the national team.

    Simeone is widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football after guiding Atletico to successes in La Liga, Europa League, the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, Goal reports.

    The 46-year-old also led Atletico to two Champions League finals in three years, losing to Real Madrid on both occasions.

    The Spanish club confirmed on Wednesday that the ex-Argentina skipper has been approached by his home land to take over as national team manager.

    “The AFA called me about Simeone taking up the Argentina coaching job and I told them no,” Goal quoted Atletico’s president, Enrique Cerezo, as saying on the matter.

    Following Sunday’s defeat to Chile in the Copa America final, Gerardo Martino’s position as Argentina’s head coach has become untenable, although the country’s soccer federation confirmed that the ex-Paraguayan national coach will lead the Under-23 team through the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

     

  • Champions League success like a movie – Diego Simeone

    Champions League success like a movie – Diego Simeone

    Manchester City and Real Madrid play the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday evening in Spain, with the score at 0-0.

    Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says his side’s “thrilling” Champions League semi-final success over Bayern Munich was like the final moments in a movie.

    The Spanish club, beaten finalists under Argentine Simeone in 2014, will play Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final after a 2-2 aggregate score sent them through on away goals.

    “Over the 180 minutes we showed the work of three years,” Simeone said.

    “I hope that destiny will eventually help us in the final.”

    Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Spain, Bayern levelled the tie through Xabi Alonso’s deflected free-kick, before Atletico keeper Jan Oblak saved a Thomas Muller penalty,

    Antoine Griezmann scored an equaliser on the break after-half-time – and although Robert Lewandowski’s header set up a tense finish, Atletico held on, despite Fernando Torres missing a penalty.

    Simeone, whose side beat holders Barcelona in the quarter-finals, was clearly emotional as he addressed the media after the game.

    “It doesn’t matter who we play in the final,” he said. “I’m proud of what has happened to this club. We are beating the best teams in the world.

    “It was a very good first half by Bayern, they’re a great team. The missed penalty gave us life. The penalty miss by Torres hurt us – but in the end it was like a movie, thrilling, with five minutes extra time.”

    Torres, who rejoined his boyhood club Atletico after disappointing spells with Chelsea and AC Milan, said: “It was very intense. We are so proud of this team, it is fully deserved.

    “We’ve beaten some of the best teams in Europe, now we’re one step closer to the dream we all have. We have a chance to write the history that nobody at Atletico has.

    “It doesn’t matter who the opponent in the final is. We are ready to fight with everyone.”

  • Barca maul Atletico 2-1

    Barca maul Atletico 2-1

    La Liga Giants, Barcelona FC, on Tuesday thrashed bitter rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

     

    Atletico Madrid took the lead in the 25th minutes of first half, courtesy of Fernando Torres following an assist from Koke

     

    Torres was sent off on the 35th minutes of the game following a second booking but the 10-men of Diego Simeone could not hold for too long as the pressure gets tougher.

     

    Hence,  Barcelona took advantage of Atletico Madrid’s 10-men with an opener from Luis Suarez in the 63rd minute.

     

    Suarez later converted a cross from Dani Alves on the 74th minutes of the game as Barca dominated and took control of the match in the second half.

     

    The second leg is set to take place next week Wednesday.

     

  • Simeone not interested in leaving Atleti

    Simeone not interested in leaving Atleti

    Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has dismissed talk of a move away from the Spanish champions, insisting he is happy in the capital.

    Simeone took over at the Vicente Calderon in December 2011 and has brought much success to Atleti, who won La Liga for the first time since 1996 last season.

    The Argentinian also guided Atleti to the Champions League final, where they suffered a 4-1 extra-time loss to city rivals Real Madrid, in 2013-14 and has previously led them to glory in the Copa del Rey, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.

    But his exploits have understandably brought about speculation of interest from other clubs, with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain among those said to be eager to lure him away.

    However, the 44-year-old is adamant he is enjoying life at Atleti and is keen to discover how far he can take a team that currently sits fourth in the Spanish top flight, four points adrift of leaders Real.

    “I feel very good at Atletico,” Simeone told Marca. “I always want to continue improving, I’m never satisfied.

    “I don’t know what the limit of this team is. I will continue looking.”

    Atleti resume domestic action on Saturday when they host a Malaga team enjoying a five-game winning streak