Simeone: 'Dortmund is the toughest draw for Atletico'

Spain Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone rated Dortmund as the toughest opponent he and his team could face in the Champions League quarter-finals.

According to bookmaker bet365 , Man City is the strongest candidate with the championship rate of 15/8 (bet 8 win 15). Following in order are Arsenal (4/1), Real (6/1), Bayern (13/2), PSG (9/1), Barca (11/1), Atletico (16/1) and Dortmund (20/1).

But Simeone denied Dortmund were the most underestimated team in the Champions League quarter-finals. "They are the toughest opponent," the Argentine coach said on April 9 at a press conference ahead of the first leg of the quarter-final. "Dortmund have quality, they haven't lost away for four months, they counter-attack very well. They are very strong in the two penalty boxes and they are the most aggressive team of the eight teams in the quarter-finals."

Coach Simeone at a press conference before the match against Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Photo: AFP — Coach Simeone at a press conference before the match against Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Photo: *AFP*

Axel Witsel, who played for Dortmund for four seasons before joining Atletico in 2022, shares the same view as the Argentine coach. "Dortmund are a strong team, constantly pressing, and have very fast attacking players like Karim Adeyemi or Jadon Sancho," he said.

Atletico are fourth in La Liga, 17 points behind leaders Real Madrid, and have won just three of their last eight games in all competitions. They were outclassed in the last 16 but beat Inter Milan 3-2 on penalties. Asked about their goal of reaching the semi-finals, Simeone said Atletico would just focus on one game at a time and prove they deserve to be in Europe's top eight.

With Memphis Depay out with a muscle injury, Alvaro Morata is likely to partner Antoine Griezmann up front. Simeone believes Morata has the experience to shine in top-level matches, while confirming Griezmann has recovered from his injury and is in top form. He also called on fans to pack the Metropolitano and create a thrilling atmosphere in the first leg of the quarter-finals. "We need them to push the team," he said.

Meanwhile, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic praised Simeone as an icon and has inspired many with his achievements in more than 12 years leading Atletico. Terzic also admitted that Dortmund will have a difficult match as Atletico always have good form at home.

"Atletico have improved a lot in attack and that is a big challenge," said the German coach. "We know we cannot make mistakes. Atletico's success comes from a new art of defending. There is hardly any team in the world that can cope with it."

Dortmund lost 1-0 to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga last weekend, but have won their previous five matches in all competitions. "We are happy with the intensity we have achieved in recent matches and we have to maintain it," Terzic added.

Hong Duy

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