The Sunderland boss was assessing Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg when he heaped praise on Simeone’s art-form of defensive football.
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What made the goal so fantastic was that the first three players Saul eluded were Spaniards – Thiago Alcantara, Bernat and Xabi Alonso – before sidestepping Austrian David Alaba and firing a left-footed shot past Neuer.
Despite seeing off Barcelona in the last round, Atletico were the underdogs against the Germans.
The midfielder has amassed 44 appearances for Los Colchoneros this season and is also a regular for the Spain Under-21s.
‘It was a pity, we could have gone there with a better advantage for the return game, ‘ he said. Just six minutes later they broke the deadlock as Niguez took apart the Bayern defence to score a brilliant effort.
Bayern were able to threaten more in the second half and created some clear scoring chances, but could not capitalize on any of them.
“I was dribbling with the ball, I saw that I’d got by two opponents so when I got into the area I thought about getting it onto my stronger foot, and because it was on my left I placed it (the finish)”. I’m not happy about the goal we conceded.
“We would make a mistake if we quarrel now, I want to go to Milan”, said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as the Champions League final will be held in the Italian city on May 28.
The ESPN FC crew discuss the perception of Atletico Madrid being a boring club to watch.
Simeone’s men will now travel to the Allianz Arena next week with a lead that could well be the difference between an exit and a spot in the Champions League 2016 final.
“It was an exciting game with good feelings, with great effort”.
Alaba smashed a wonder strike off the underside of the bar from fully 35 yards before Javi Martinez’s powerful header from Costa’s corner was gratefully grasped by Oblak low to his right. In three years we’ve got to three semis.
Borussia Monchengladbach are one point off the Champions League places.
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Of the second leg against Atletico, he added: “We have already proven in other situations that we are capable”.
