 |
| Pep Guardiola - Getty Images |
Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid will not sit back against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Atletico arrived in Germany with a 1-0 advantage after Saul Niguez's first-leg goal at the Vicente Calderon.
Simeone said his side will look to kill off Bayern by scoring an away goal instead of trying to play for a 0-0 draw, which would take them through.
"I'm only interested in winning," he said. "That is what I prepare for."
While Bayern are five-time European champions, Atletico are trying to win the competition for the first time.
"We are going to be true to our style," said Simeone. "We will be ourselves. Whatever happens will depend on the mental strength of both teams.
"In the first leg we played in a way that feels good for us. On Tuesday we will see how strong both Bayern and we are."
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will take over as Manchester City manager in the summer. However since losing the 2014 semi-final to Real Madrid, Bayern have won 11 successive home matches in the Champions League.
Victory on Tuesday would match Manchester United's record from 2006-09.
"We're very, very strong at home," said Bayern's World Cup-winning defender Jerome Boateng. "That's what we're counting on.'
While Bayern are on the brink of winning their fourth successive Bundesliga title, Atletico remain firmly in the hunt in La Liga.
Simeone's side are level on points with leaders Barcelona with two matches of the domestic league season remaining.
Former Liverpool forward Fernando Torres said the team are reaping the rewards of their work ethic and unity.
"We die for each other," said the 32-year-old, a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2012. "It's a battlefield out there.
"We are going out to win. We live the excitement of playing match by match and the situation we are in."
Josep Guardiola
We mustn't think about how many goals we must score. We need think first about defending well and controlling the game. We want possession and we want goals. Atleti defend very well, but they are also going good up front. It is complicated to play a team like them. They know each other so very well. We will create chances, if perhaps not too many.
It will be my last game in the Champions League here in Munich and I have always been treated absolutely wonderfully. In Germany you play a little differently, and I tried to adapt some things. I have learned a lot here. We have achieved a lot during my time here, but it is always really difficult to make the final of this competition.
Diego Simeone
Football is a fantastic sport and there's a variety of ways to play it, depending on the players at your disposal. Our work over the last few years is paying dividends now. We have experienced guys mixed with some new players and they are all really great to work with them. That is reflected by our results.
We were sharp in the first leg and we will see how sharp we are tomorrow; and how sharp Bayern are. Every game is different. We want to win, that's our plan. We want to play well and enjoy our success. But above all, what matters most is that we make the final.
We mustn't think about how many goals we must score. We need think first about defending well and controlling the game. We want possession and we want goals. Atleti defend very well, but they are also going good up front. It is complicated to play a team like them. They know each other so very well. We will create chances, if perhaps not too many.
It will be my last game in the Champions League here in Munich and I have always been treated absolutely wonderfully. In Germany you play a little differently, and I tried to adapt some things. I have learned a lot here. We have achieved a lot during my time here, but it is always really difficult to make the final of this competition.
Diego Simeone
Football is a fantastic sport and there's a variety of ways to play it, depending on the players at your disposal. Our work over the last few years is paying dividends now. We have experienced guys mixed with some new players and they are all really great to work with them. That is reflected by our results.
We were sharp in the first leg and we will see how sharp we are tomorrow; and how sharp Bayern are. Every game is different. We want to win, that's our plan. We want to play well and enjoy our success. But above all, what matters most is that we make the final.
No comments:
Post a Comment