Diego Simeone has suggested that even Barcelona’s goalkeeper can pose Atletico Madrid a threat when the two La Liga giants meet at Camp Nou tonight.
The Spanish champions face the Catalan heavyweights this evening, with both teams tied on 38 points in third and second respectively, and the Coach was quick to praise the strength in depth of his side's adversaries.
“[Barca and Real Madrid] are two very important teams who are also two of the best in the world but with different playing styles,” he said at a Press conference.
“Real Madrid are much more direct, despite keeping the ball for long spells through Isco and James [Rodriguez]. Beyond [Ivan] Rakitic’s vision and Neymar’s speed, Barcelona play with more possession.
“[Barca] still have great individuals in every position and retain the features which made them the best in the world.
“Their results last season weren’t desirable as another great team stood in their way, that team being us, but it doesn’t affect their DNA.
"[Luis Suarez] is the best type of No 9 a team can have. He’s different to their other wingers as Pedro normally makes more diagonal runs, but Suarez is very complete.
“He can play with his back to goal, take free kicks and head the ball well … I love his game and intensity. He has that voracity which gives [Barca] another dimension in attack.
“They made a qualitative leap in the goalkeeping department, Suarez offers something different and Rakitic is an important alternative to Xavi or Iniesta.
“None of their players want you to have any of the ball. They can all play [with the ball] well, even the goalkeeper.
“Honestly, we don’t focus on what our rivals get up to. We’re not taking notice of any opinions or comments in the Press about what’s been happening at Barca because it’s nothing to do with us and we don’t know if any of it’s true.”
