Since he set foot on the bench at the Vicente Calderón, Diego Pablo Simeone began to write his history as the best coach to ever manage Atlético de Madrid. However, he still has an unresolved issue with the Champions League… and with Real Madrid, whom he will visit tomorrow in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.

Maximum equality between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid

Simeone, logically, has analyzed the tie against Real Madrid and, after the recent victory against Athletic Club in La Liga, feels the team is prepared: “We have a lot of respect for a great rival. Previous matches don’t influence at all. For Madrid it’s spectacular, for Spain it will also be very good, and for us, we are going to enjoy it.”

This season, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid have faced each other twice… and both have ended in draws. Therefore, Simeone believes the match is more evenly balanced than ever, and there is no clear favorite: “Obviously, I respect the search for a favorite. It’s an important rival that we respect, and we also know our strength and we try to enhance it.”

Simeone believes they will have their opportunity against Real Madrid

In Champions League, however, the balance is tipped more in favor of Real Madrid. Especially after the finals of 2014 and 2016 that are still remembered in Atlético de Madrid every day: “As we always relate things to history, Madrid’s record in Champions League is extraordinary. But tomorrow, for sure, we will have a great opportunity.”

Simeone is fully convinced that this could be the chance to eliminate Real Madrid and accomplish something significant in the Champions League. It’s his main goal as coach of Atlético de Madrid and he issued an important warning: “A lot of excitement, as if it were my first day at Atlético, and with the drive with which I came to take it to an important place in Europe.”