Skip to main content

Atletico are tired, admits Simeone



Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted that his side are tired after their exploits this season.

The capital club are level on points at the top of La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona and have made sound progress in the Champions League, but have suffered three defeats in succession, including two losses in the Copa del Rey semi-final to Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Simeone has admitted that his team are fatigued after an exhausting campaign thus far, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: "The team might be tired, but their continuity has been one of the key factors for their sense.

"If others had played, no-one could be sure that we would be in this position. But two of the losses were in the Copa del Rey against one of the best teams in the world, Real Madrid.

"Eight days ago, were leading La Liga. Sooner or later, all teams go through some difficult times, let's see how we do after 38 games. Madrid and Barcelona have quality that makes a difference in the long term."

Atleti face AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League and Simeone is refusing to underestimate theRossoneri, despite their poor Serie A form.

"Milan are always much stronger in the Champions League than in Serie A. They always do well in Europe traditionally.

"It'll be tough. They have many champions and we have to be very humble, knowing that they'll give their all.

"Massimiliano Allegri's Milan were suffering this year. Now Clarence Seedorf is there and he has to form a team."

Popular posts from this blog

Stoke end battling win at Watford

An own goal by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes helped earn Stoke City a deserved win as 10-man Watford suffered a first home defeat since August. Gomes could do little as Charlie Adam's header from Xherdan Shaqiri's corner hit the base of the post before ricocheting off the Brazilian and rolling into the net. If there was a touch of fortune about the goal, Stoke were full value for their victory against sluggish opponents who missed out on the chance to climb to sixth in the Premier League table. Watford had defender Miguel Britos sent off in the closing stages for a second yellow card after Gomes had saved well from Bruno Martins Indi, while Stoke's club record £18.3m signing Giannelli Imbula also went close from 25 yards. Relive Sunday's Premier League action How Conte has kept his cool to revive Chelsea Why Palace players are letting Pardew down Petulant Watford There was controversy at the end of a scrappy game as Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri appeared t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Aguero score twice in Man City win

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City came back from a goal down to earn a hard-fought win at Burnley and claim back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since September. The home side might have had a penalty before surprisingly taking lead when City defender Nicolas Otamendi could only head a clearance straight to Clarets midfielder Dean Marney, who volleyed in from 25 yards. City struggled for fluency but Aguero equalised when he poked in a shot at the far post after a corner was deflected into his path. The visitors controlled the game after the break and took the lead when a Fernandinho cross hit Aguero and went in after some sloppy Burnley defending. Clarets defender Michael Keane had a late header blocked by Aleksandar Kolarov and an overhead kick from Ashley Barnes was saved by City keeper Claudio Bravo but Burnley failed to prevent a third home loss in the top flight this season. Relive Burnley v Manchester City Follow the rest of Saturda...
Post a Comment
Read more

Everton defender Phil Jagielka out for six weeks

Jagielka suffered a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in 2009 Everton boss David Moyes wants to sign a central defender in the January transfer window after losing Phil Jagielka for up to six weeks. Jagielka, 29, injured medial ligaments in his knee during Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Bolton at Goodison Park. "To lose him [Jagielka] is a massive blow because he is an integral part of the defence and it leaves us short at centre-half," said Moyes. "We are looking but it will more than likely be in the loan market." England international Jagielka, who has made 19 Premier League starts this season, injured his left knee in 2009 and spent nearly a year on the sidelines. Continue reading the main story Leon Osman has a floating bone in his knee which we think will have to be taken out David Moyes Everton manager "Losing Jagielka is an incredibly big thing for us because the team have been very strong defensively," Moyes continued. ...
Post a Comment
Read more