Many Man City fans react as Diego Simeone praise Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of Champions League clash

Diego Simeone was full of praise for Manchester City ahead of their Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid are back in Manchester less than a month after winning at Old Trafford as they take on City in the Champions League quarter-finals. In the last-16, they drew with United in Madrid, before producing a perfect gameplan to win at Old Trafford and progress.

However, Simeone says his side will have a completely different test at the Etihad than they did at United, warning Atletico players to improve their performance levels if they want to progress.

He said: “United had different characteristics than City, more direct, quicker. City are more positional, in all areas they manage things well.

“We’ll have to increase and be better in the good things we did two weeks ago. We’ll play where we think we can hurt them, use our characteristics the way we’ve played for years. We play to compete and we’ll see.”

The match has been billed as a clash of styles between the pragmatic tactics of Simeone and the more fluid, possession-based formula of Pep Guardiola.

Simeone has no intention of diverting from his tried-and-trusted methods but insists he is a big admirer of the way City play.

The Argentinian said: “We’re going to play where we think we can hurt them. We’re going to use our characteristics, the way we’ve been playing for years, and continue to compete.

“But City are a lovely team to watch. What I like most about teams that play well like them is the strength and effort they put in to winning the ball back while continuing to play in an attacking way.

“They have some great players – Sterling, De Bruyne – but what wakes me up is that they run, they pressurise, they are always active. They never leave a lost ball. This work ethic is additional to the talent. All managers want that.”

These Simeone’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from Man City supporters.

“He knows ball”
Credit: @Phillyfoden47

“We’re absolutely finished”
Credit: @MokayaGregory

“He really knows the ball. That’s the most underrated aspect of our play. The desire to win the ball back no matter what time it is.”
Credit: @citykevin

“Thanks pal but can’t say the same about Atletico”
Credit: @izmcfc

“How about you try playing like Man City”
Credit: @Boatingbot1

“That’s so cute!! Tomorrow (Tuesday) he got the front to watch us in one of our best performances..”
Credit: @Matth170871

“You will have first class seats for watching the best team in the world tomorrow then.”
Credit: @PricelessKDB

“This guy will frustrate our lives tomorrow (Tuesday).”
Credit: @abdulka_diir