TURIN, ITALY (AFP) - Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone warned on Monday (March 11) that there was more to Juventus than striker Cristiano Ronaldo as the Spanish side look to "seize their opportunity" in Turin and maintain their push for a first Champions League title.
Simeone's side take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their last 16 clash with Juve at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday (March 12), and are clear favourites to make the quarter-finals at the expense of a team who signed Ronaldo from Real Madrid last summer with the goal of winning the Champions League for the first time since 1996.
"You can't just talk about Ronaldo, Juventus are a great team with top players who are used to fighting important battles and are very strong in defence," said Simeone, who insisted there were no favourites despite his team's clear advantage.
"These are two different matches, the first leg and second leg. We'll have to seize all the opportunities and do our best, we'll have less space than in the first leg.
"These are two strong teams, one will go through and the other won't. It's hard to talk about there being favourites." Atletico have injury worries but Simeone said central defender Diego Godin was fit to play.
"Godin is fine, he'll train today and I expect him to play tomorrow. I'll make do with what I have at my disposal," he said.
Reigning European champions Real Madrid have already crashed out of the competition, with Zinedine Zidane returning as coach of the stumbling Spanish giants.
But Simeone refused to comment on the Frenchman's return to the Santiago Bernabeu just over nine months after he resigned.
"With all the respect I have for him I don't think its right to talk about Zidane before a match between Atletico and Juventus," said the former Argentina midfielder, who played for Juve's hated rivals Inter Milan during his six-year spell as a player in Italy.
Midfielder Koke warned they were ready for a "battle" with Juventus, who are dominant in Italy but have struggled to turn domestic success into European glory.
"Anything could happen in the Champions League, a lot will depend on how we start the game," the Spain international said.
"They will certainly attack in every possible way, we're ready to do battle.
"We know that we are facing a great team. We played very well at the Wanda Metropolitano and come here convinced we can put in a similar performance, but have to give our all."
Doha (AFP) - Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries.
Qatar Coach to 'Isolate' Team from Gulf Politics at AFC Asian
Football: Hougang United lose two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3 with 10-man Tampines Rovers Published by: straitstimes.com | Found: 49 minutes ago Tags: Football, Tampines, Hougang, Rovers, United and 218 more Tweeted By: @stsportsdesk , @stcom Tweeted For: @@jpbutler_msm, @@ks75in
Tampines throw away two-goal advantage, Latest Singapore
Juventus 2-1 AC Milan: Moise Kean puts Juve on brink of Serie
BAKU: Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rating the French star's chances of playing
Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final
May 05, 2019 · Chelsea respond to half-time boos with win over Watford to secure Champions League place 127-second burst early in the second-half to move above Tottenham Hotspur. home Chelsea's third
Chelsea 3-0 Watford: Blues leap up to third with convincing
Spurs poised for new era as they officially open new stadium Pochettino says club now have the infrastructure in place to compete with the best
Tottenham's new stadium roof lift will weigh 600 tonnes
One fan wrote on Twitter: "If Portugal wins the Nation's League should Bernardo Silva (City) be in the conversation just as much as Cristiano Ronaldo (Juve) for the Balon d'Or?" Read More "Fuming
Cristiano Ronaldo Top 10 Ridiculous Things That No One
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; As Canarinhas thump Reggae Girlz. 1 day ago. VALENCIENNES, France (REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN) - Barbara Bonansea scored twice to give Italy a surprise, last-gasp 2-1 victory against Australia in their opening Group C game at the women's football World Cup on Sunday (June
Bonansea fires Italy to last-gasp comeback win over Australia
As a player, you just have to focus on what you eat, how you train, and to give your best in games. As a coach, the minute one game ends, you're already thinking about the next game. NOH RAHMAN, Home United's interim head coach, is slowly becoming aware of the huge demands of the job.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri pleased to get back to winning
sportsloveme.com/soccer/chelsea-manager-maurizio-sarri-pleased-to-get-back-to-winning-ways/
'I'm happy because it wasn't very easy after the last match': Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri pleased to get back to winning ways with Malmo victory after Manchester City drubbing Chelsea won their first match from home since December against Malmo The Blues responded positively after suffering a 6-0 defeat to Manchester City
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Football: Luis Suarez says Barcelona 'looked like schoolboys' in Champions League loss. Barcelona player Luis Suarez during the UEFA Champions League semi final 2nd leg match between Liverpool and
Barcelona defence looked like schoolboys against Liverpool
Valencia stroll into last four with 2-0 Villarreal win. Valencia eased into the semifinals of the Europa League for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home Villarreal.
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win - CNA
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory
Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday. The hosts, looking for a second successive
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
sportstons.com/soccer/football-fulham-dig-deep-to-deny-newcastle-and-earn-first-clean-sheet/
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet LONDON (REUTERS) - Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 22).
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
A new report claims that UEFA members have decided that a ban from the competition would be suitable punishment, but could it really happen? Manchester City are currently under investigation
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar