‘Atleti are an extension of Simeone’

Massimiliano Allegri feels Atletico Madrid’s style is a mirror image of the character of their boss Diego Simeone.

The Juventus Coach takes his team to the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night to take on Simeone’s Atleti in what is a crucial game in Group A of the Champions League.

The Spaniards surprisingly lost their opening match 3-2 at Olympiacos, while Juve disposed of Malmo 2-0, and Allegri believes his players are in for a physical contest.

“It’s going be difficult as we will be facing a physical side that plays with great intensity. The team is an extension of their Coach because when you watch them you notice the similarities with Simeone the player.

“They give their all on the pitch, leave no spaces and try to stay on top of their opponents at all times, which is to Simeone’s credit. Don’t forget that last year he won La Liga and was 90 seconds away from winning the Champions League.

“This is a game that has been difficult for us to plan for, as it has for them, but we will be ready,” he insisted.

Allegri is aware the result against the Spanish champions is the only thing that matters and says his team will need to be alert at set-pieces on the night.

“It is important to play well but the spectacle itself does not count. We have to get the points. This is a vital fixture because it could decide whether we progress any further in the competition.

“However, we will need to be careful with dead balls as eight of their 11 goals this season have come from them. We’ll have to work things out and play a very technical game to counteract that threat.

“The important thing will be our attitude, how we adapt to the match, because they are all different,” he explained.

Tags Allegri Diego Simeone
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