Diego Simeone believes that where La Liga is boring, the Champions League isn’t, as he muses on Atletico Madrid’s group stage so far.
Alongside leading Atletico’s mantra of taking each game as it comes, El Cholo has also led criticism of La Liga as being ‘boring’ for the inability for any club to compete for the title with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
With his side heading into the final group stage match of the Champions League against Porto currently unbeaten and already assured of top spot, the Coach was asked if the same view applied to the European competition.
“The Champions League is a great competition. It is a new experience and more competitive than La Liga,” Simeone considered to reporters this week.
“There have been many different champions in recent years and in the League there have not been because only Madrid and Barcelona have won it recently.
“So what is certain is that the Champions League is not boring.”
Simeone was talking ahead of Atleti’s final group stage encounter, at home to Porto.
“Porto and Zenit were favourites for this group at the start of the season because of their experience. Our victories against Porto [away] and Zenit [at home] were very important.
“We have struggled in moments against both teams, especially at Porto, where things were resolved with a set-piece.”
Simeone was asked about Oliver Torres and Javier Manquillo’s development so far this term.
“Oliver and Manquillo are in a maturing stage. They are going to be very important players for this team.
“The future is great but the present is very important and we want them to keep developing.
“I expect more from Oliver because he could give us more than he is giving now.”
