Diego Simeone isn’t thinking of past Madrid derbies, including the Champions League final, ahead of the next meeting of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
The Coach told his pre-match Press conference that the match on Tuesday would be a new one, not a repeat of the fixture between the sides in Lisbon last year, where Madrid claimed victory and La Decima.
“I’m not looking back on previous games because I understand it will be a new, different game, a play-off in the quarter-final, which isn’t the same as a Champions League final,” he said, AS reports.
“It’s a different game, a new round. Not all the players were involved in that game.
“I imagine it will be more like the Copa del Rey semi-final last year, Madrid more active in defence. The presence of Luka Modric gives their football more aggression and more presence in midfield.
“It’s true that in several places on the field they have more individual talent.”
Simeone was asked about praise from Carlo Ancelotti and responded in kind.
“I have great admiration for him, firstly as a man,” he said of his Blancos counterpart.
“He doesn’t change his manner in defeat or victory. That puts him to a different level from other Coaches.
“He has enormous experience, has handled all squads well and that speaks highly of him.”
