Simeone: "It’ll be one of the most difficult matches of the group"

Diego Pablo Simeone attended the media at the press conference of our team’s debut in the Champions League against Olympiacos. In it, the Argentinian highlighted above all the difficulty this duel poses due to the atmosphere that exists at the Georgios Karaiskakis and the intensity of Olympiacos’ game, which will be this Tuesday at 20:45. “Tonight and tomorrow we’ll decide what’s the best way to deal with a very difficult match. Possibly one of the most difficult of the group, because of the stadium, the atmosphere and the intensity of the rival’s game", he said.

Last season’s great results are over, as Atlético’s coach has reminded all. "We know that this starts again. The past Champions League, as the former League and the King’s Cup, where we reached the semi-finals, were very good but they are over. Now we live day-to-day and we know that it’s a very tough competition and we have to give each game its individual attention. We need play a good match tomorrow and be strong and interpret the game we’re going to play", he assured.

In addition, Atlético’s coach admitted that he considers different offensive variations and one of them, may be the presence of Koke in the midfield, like in the Santiago Bernabeu victory. "The other day, Koke’s presence in the midfield balanced us more in the game and allowed us to start having the possibility of the wingers attacking more evenly. With the entrance of Arda and Griezmann, the team’s game was more fluid", he pointed out.

He also had words of praise for Michel, his counterpart in the Greek team, since he’s managed to give Olympiacos their own style with various characteristics in their game. "I asses positively the arrival of Michel to the Greek team. He found a team that was heading to be a champion, and ended achieving it. He made Olympiacos grow immensely in the past Champions League and there’s a defined style in their game", he concluded.