Guardiola: Atlético just don’t defend, at least not from the start. Simeone’s tactics are much more offensive than people think

In the Champions League quarter-finals, two completely different worlds and coaches will clash. Pep Guardiola with Manchester City is trying to break through with offensive football, Diego Simeone with Atlético Madrid is relying more on solid defensive play. But according to the Spanish coach, it’s not that bad.

Atlético’s style of playing their way to success is well known. Get under the opponent’s skin as much as possible, stall in any way if they are ahead, simulate, defend at all costs. That’s what the Colchoneros are good at.

But now they’ve come up against a completely different style of play than the one they profess. Guardiola’s Manchester City relies on great ball possession, likes to pin the opponent to his whitewash and waits for open windows. So there is a slight concern about whether the match will be a one-sided handball. However, this was not shared by Pep Guardiola at the press conference.

“They want to avoid risk in neutral spaces. They are aggressive and when they get the ball, they play. Maybe I’m wrong, but from what I’ve seen, they don’t just camp in the whitewash. Maybe sometimes, but not from the start. They come at you. They don’t close down at the back, they press when they can,” the Spanish coach is convinced.

“There is a misconception about how Diego Simeone plays. He’s more offensive than people think. They don’t want to take risks in the midfield, but they are great in the attacking third. They’re incredibly competitive. They know exactly how to behave in which situation,” Guardiola praised his opponent.

The Spanish side is in good form right now and is riding a streak of six wins in a row. The Citizens have four wins and two draws in their last six games.

In England, moreover, the Rojiblancos are doing quite well. Recently they knocked out Manchester United in the same city, two years ago they knocked out Liverpool. The only blemish was last year’s elimination against Chelsea, but that was also affected by Atlético not playing the rematch on their home ground.

Source: UEFA