Diego Simeone has thanked Jose Mourinho after the Chelsea manager praised Atletico Madrid following their Champions League semi-final win.
Atletico dispatched the Blues last night at Stamford Bridge, running out 3-1 winners to set up a date with Real Madrid in the Champions League final. The sides meet on May 24 in Lisbon.
Simeone, who also praised the character of the Atletico players, told reports after the match that hearing Mourinho speak highly of Atletico meant a lot to him.
“I’m grateful for his words. He is a hardworking man who has competed with top teams,” AS reports El Cholo as saying.
“Now we must try to think of Levante. Tomorrow we focus on the Levante game and nothing else.
“We don’t stop to think beyond an opponent for an opponent who is used to playing these finals.”
Simeone was asked for his thoughts on how the match transpired and his reasoning behind selecting Adrian, who scored Atelti’s first goal.
“We had to work to find the game we wanted with a second goal,” the Coach said.
“We went behind but kept the same objective, which was to play as a team. And we did it.
“Tactically the first-half was good. They got the first goal but luckily we got the equaliser.
“The second-half sat well with us, the second goal. We had a great game all-round.
“I have confidence [in Adrian], a player I love very much. I’m pleased for him. It’s not been an easy year but I never stopped trusting him and what a way to pay me back with that goal.”
