Diego Simeone expects that Champions League round of sixteen ties against Inter Milan or Napoli would be “tough” for Atletico Madrid.
The Colchoneros coach spoke to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews.
La Liga giants Atletico have already faced one Italian team in the Champions League this season.
The Colchoneros topped a group with Lazio.
The Biancocelesti had snatched a draw in dramatic circumstances in the first meeting at the Stadio Olimpico. Goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored a last-gasp equalizer in that match.
Then yesterday Atletico beat Lazio 2-0 in Madrid to confirm that they would top their group.
That means that the Spaniards could face another Italian team in the next round.
Both of Inter and Napoli will be moving on to the round of sixteen. And both will do so as group runners-up.
Interestingly, both the Nerazzurri finished behind La Liga opposition, mirroring Atletico topping their group and Lazio finishing second.
They finished behind Real Sociedad and Real Madrid respectively.
Simeone: Inter & Napoli Would Be Tough Ties For Atletico Madrid In Champions League Round Of Sixteen
For his part, Atletico coach Simeone is not relishing the thought of coming up against either of the Serie A teams who the Colchoneros could conceivably come up against in the next round.
“Let’s see what happens in the next two months,” the Argentine coach said.
“There’s a long way to go.”
He continued that “We hope that when the round of sixteen comes we’re at our best.”
He added that “We’ll certainly come up against a strong team. There are no weak teams at this stage of the competition.”
Regarding Inter and Napoli, Simeone said that “We’ll have to be very careful. There’s no doubt that we’d be getting a tough tie.”
The draw for the round of sixteen is scheduled to take place next Monday.
