Diego Simeone insists that Atletico Madrid’s match against Barcelona this evening will be ‘the most difficult of the lot’.
The capital side have played the Blaugrana three times already this season – drawing everyone.
However, the Argetine Coach has admitted that tonight’s clash in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final will be the most testing.
“This will be the most difficult of the lot,” he told a Press conference.
“In the first game we played as the home side and in the third Messi was recovering from injury, and now we have the best Barça.
“They are going to want to finish the game here.
“If we say we're the favourites, we're arrogant, if we say we're worse, we seem like victims.
“We had the Supercopa, got to the semis of the Copa del Rey, then the League, the Champions League.
“We have a great group, with who I've been able to make a team, and they're growing day upon day. It's through hard work, nothing else. Simple.”
‘Cholo’ then commented on what it means to face off against fellow countryman Tata Martino.
“There'll be an Argentinean coach in the semis and that's good for Argentinean football.
“Tata has adapted very well to Barça, they won the Supercopa, are in the final of the cup, fighting for the title and Champions League quarters.
“We adapt our style. Both of our personalities and the essence of our country is what we transmit.”
Simeone concluded by admitting how important Diego Costa is to his team.
“Without doubt. Cristiano, Messi and Costa, all of their own style, but are all equally important.
“Two in form players now face off, and I think that Diego is growing day by day, and Messi is demonstrating what good those two months off did him, and will go into the World Cup in top form.”
