Simeone praises Inzaghi ‘identity’ at Inter

Diego Simeone is full of praise for Inter ahead of the Champions League showdown. ‘They are one of the best teams in Europe with a strong identity given to them by’ his friend Simone Inzaghi.

The first leg of the Round of 16 tie will be played at San Siro on Tuesday evening.

This will be a reunion for the coaches, as Simeone and Inzaghi were teammates at Lazio.

“On Tuesday we are up against a very strong rival, one of the best teams in Europe who reached the Champions League Final last season and are doing very well in Serie A this term,” said Simeone in a press conference.

“They won the Supercoppa Italiana and lost only one match this season. They play a simple football, but it is very effective and they have a strong identity given to them by their coach, who passed on his energy. It is going to be tough.”

Cholo was asked what he admires the most about Atleti’s opponents in Europe.

“I like everything about Inter. They have such character as a team, great pace from the midfielders, now they have Benjamin Pavard on the right and he gives them an extra dimension, just as Alessandro Bastoni can do on the left.

“They have a very productive attacking phase. A team does not reach the Champions League Final without work behind that and, knowing Simone as I do, that makes me happy.

“We have a very good rapport and I am glad to see Inter doing well.”

Atletico Madrid had struggled in recent matches, picking up one draw from three competitive games, but got back on track with a 5-0 demolition of Las Palmas in LaLiga this afternoon.

Alvaro Morata is still out injured, so Marcos Llorente started upfront today and scored twice, as did Angel Correa, with Memphis Depay rounding out the rout.

“I saw how much Marcos wanted to play and we put him as a centre-forward, where he played a few times over a year ago,” explained Simeone.

“I know that Marcos likes to play closer to the goal and I am happy for him.”

With an eye on the upcoming Inter match, Atletico Madrid rested Antoine Griezmann, while Rodrigo De Paul, Memphis Depay and Axel Witsel came on as substitutes.