Former AC Milan coach Fabio Capello feels that while Atletico Madrid are a tough side, the Champions League round of sixteen draw could’ve gone worse for Inter Milan.
The former coach spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews.
Inter will certainly not be underestimating Atletico.
The Colchoneros are among the most consistently formidable teams in Europe under Diego Simeone.
Atletico are well on course for yet another top four finish in La Liga.
And in the Champions League, the Colchoneros topped a tricky group containing Lazio, Feyenoord, and Celtic.
Atletico have reached two Champions League finals with Simeone on the bench. They have also won the Europa League on two occasions.
But at the same time, Inter also know the teams that they avoided in the round of sixteen draw.
The Nerazzurri could have faced any of Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, or Manchester City.
So there could be a sense that Atletico do not represent the most difficult outcome after the Nerazzurri finished second in their group behind Real Sociedad rather than topping it.
Capello: Atletico A Tough Draw For Inter, But Could’ve Been Worse
“It could have been worse,” Capello said of Inter’s Champions League draw.
“But Simeone’s team is a difficult one in every sense,” he continued.
“They’re as competitive as anyone, they reflect their coach. They play in a very hot stadium. And they’re humble.”
“They’re not going into the match trying to impress on anyone ‘We’re Atletico,'” Capello said.
“They’re not a team who play for the pleasure of playing. They play for the result.”
Of the possibility of Inter prioritizing Serie A over Europe, Capello said that “That was clear from the changes that Inzaghi made in the last two Champions League matches against Benfica and Real Sociedad.”
As far as the difficulty fighting on several fronts, Capello said that “It will depend a lot on their position in the table, and on injuries.”
“I hope that Inzaghi plays his best team against Atletico,” he continued.
“In reality, I thought he would also do so in the last two rounds of the group stage.”
