It takes a special kind of pride to laud your rival as the 'best in the world' while simultaneously boasting about eliminating them from two major competitions. That's exactly the Diego Simeone way.
The Atlético Madrid manager, known for his fiery passion, offered glowing praise for Barcelona and their La Liga success under Hansi Flick. But he couldn't resist a cheeky reminder of his own side's giant-killing feats against the champions this season. It's a testament to Atleti's tactical prowess and fighting spirit against a truly formidable opponent.
Key Takeaways:
- Diego Simeone hailed Barcelona as the "best team in the world" after their dominant La Liga title win.
- Atlético Madrid famously eliminated Barcelona from both the Copa del Rey and Champions League this term.
- Defender Jose Maria Gimenez received positive news on his ankle injury, easing fears for club and country.
- Atleti is pushing for a strong La Liga finish, with Simeone emphasizing the team's inherent drive to win every match.
The Ultimate Compliment (and a Cheeky Jab)
Simeone minced no words, declaring Barcelona the planet's premier footballing side. Their recent La Liga triumph, secured with a commanding 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou, truly showcased the quality that Hansi Flick has instilled. Barca's dominant run saw them open a massive 14-point lead with games to spare, underlining their status as domestic kings.
Atleti's Cup Dominance: A Season-Defining Feat
Despite the unwavering admiration for Barcelona's league form, Simeone's true pride shone through when reflecting on head-to-head encounters. His Atlético Madrid squad pulled off a remarkable double-elimination against the Catalans in knockout competitions. They first knocked Barca out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a thrilling 4-3 aggregate victory.
Then, in an even bigger statement, Atleti sealed a 3-2 aggregate win in the Champions League quarter-finals, ending Barcelona's European dreams. Simeone's reaction to watching El Clasico perfectly encapsulated this sentiment: "Barcelona is the team that plays the best in the world. They won the league playing very well, just like last season. And all I could think while watching the game was: 'We knocked this team out twice, my God!'”
Injury Update and Squad Rotation for Osasuna Clash
Looking ahead to their next La Liga fixture against Osasuna at El Sadar, Simeone provided a crucial update on defender Jose Maria Gimenez. The Uruguayan center-back picked up a knock in the recent clash against Celta Vigo. Thankfully, initial fears were eased with the diagnosis of only a sprained ankle, a relief for Uruguay ahead of upcoming international commitments.
Simeone confirmed, "Luckily it is only a sprained ankle, and we hope he can arrive with strength at the World Cup to compete with Uruguay as he deserves." The Atleti boss also hinted at giving youth a chance, stating, "We will look as always to make the best possible team and surely homegrown players will also participate and can take advantage of the beautiful occasion of playing with the first team."
The Home Stretch: Battling for Position in La Liga
While Atlético Madrid might have been Barcelona's nemesis in cup competitions, the La Liga head-to-head tells a different story, with Barca winning both league encounters this season. After their Copa del Rey triumph over Barcelona, Atleti ultimately lost to Real Sociedad in the final. Their Champions League victory was followed by a semi-final exit against Arsenal.
Currently, Atlético Madrid is poised to finish fourth in the Spanish top-flight, sitting six points behind Villarreal with just three games remaining. Their schedule includes an away trip to Osasuna, hosting Girona, and concluding the campaign with another away game against Villarreal. Despite their position, Simeone stressed the squad's motivation:
"Everything is real; there’s a slim chance in these last three matches that we can go to Villarreal with a chance to secure third place," Simeone noted, dismissing any notion of a lack of drive. "It's like when you play with your friends, you want to win; that's the stimulus this sport gives you. Even if you play at an amateur level, you play to win and have fun."
