Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has described Barcelona as “the best attacking team in Europe” after setting up a Champions League quarter-final tie against Hansi Flick’s side.
Both team have made it into the last eight of the competition, with Barca beating Newcastle and Atletico seeing off Tottenham.
Here’s what Simeone has made of it all:
“This is a moment to be happy. As a club, as a team, we’re thrilled that our fans will celebrate this passage to the quarterfinals. The road ahead will be tough
once you reach the quarterfinals, just like in our previous appearances,” he said.
“We’re aiming to compete with Barcelona, who are the team we’re drawn against. I have no doubt they’re the best attacking team in Europe, and the prospect of facing them in the quarterfinals is a high-level challenge that will demand that same level from us.”
The game is a repeat of the Copa del Rey semi-final earlier this season, which Atletico won 4-3 on aggregate, and Simeone says playing Barcelona regularly can help ease the fear factor.
“I always borrow things from the people who were with me and gave us so much. Germán Burgos told us that we have to play friendlies against Barça, against Real Madrid, against Bayern Munich…” he added.
“The more you play against them, the less afraid you are. This doesn’t mean we’re going to win or not, but playing more often gives us a better chance.”
The winners of the quarter-final tie between the two La Liga sides will face either Arsenal or Sporting in the semi-finals.
