Atlético, the revenge of attacking more to go back to Manchester City

Previous Direct

Diego Pablo Simeone's approach in the first leg, in which he used two lines of five ahead of Oblak, has left an incessant trail of criticism in England and in Europe.

The last two to speak out have been Arrigo Sacchi —"Atlético plays with an old idea, it doesn't give you joy even when you win", said the Italian in

— and Marco Van Basten: “Better change the channel or put on Netflix than watch Atlético,” assured the former Milan Dutch striker.

Simeone responded to these latest accusations yesterday in the preview of tonight's match at the Wanda Metropolitano (9:00 p.m., Movistar LC).

“Words are free.

I will always respect my colleagues”, said the Atletico coach.

Pep Guardiola also spoke about it: “If he had won, they wouldn't have criticized him.

What Atlético has been doing for ten years and it hasn't gone badly, that's the only reality.

When he wins everything is praise, if not, he is frowned upon”, defended the Santpedor coach, who has included his best central defender, the Portuguese Rubén Días, in the squad list, absent in the first leg due to injury.

Guardiola is convinced that today's game will be very different from the one played last Tuesday at the Etihad.

“We are going to be very different and so are they.

Atlético will not defend with such depth, they will be very intense in a very hot stadium, influenced by their coach.

We will try to create more chances and break more lines, knowing that Atlético is a strong team in a very difficult scenario”, analyzed the Catalan coach.

The appeals to the atmosphere that will be lived in the Atlético coliseum have been constant in the rojiblanco squad.

From the cauldron that is intended to be the Metropolitan, it is expected that a team will emerge enraged by the criticism received, capable of subduing City at times to overcome the 1-0 first leg.

“In these types of games, with the atmosphere and what is generated, there is little to say.

I talk to people and what is being created reminds me of the 2014 game at the Calderón in which we eliminated Barcelona in the quarterfinals”, warns Koke.

If the Lausanne Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) does not accept Atlético's appeal, the club must comply with the sanction imposed by UEFA for the display of Nazi symbols by Atletico fans at the Etihad and there will be 5,000 fewer spectators in the Metropolitan.

"I would like to be able to count on all our people," said Simeone, who has Giménez and Herrera out.

For Cholo, the duel can mean revenge after the rejection caused by his approach in Manchester, where his team was very defensive.

Tonight he will need the same self-confidence that his players offered to entrench himself to have to attack.

We are facing a team that plays very well, but we are excited.

Hope alone is not enough and we need to combine better, faster transitions, and for our senior players to have a great night”.

You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on

Exclusive content for subscribers

read without limits

subscribe

I'm already a subscriber