“Manchester United,” Diego Simeone said before falling silent, steel in his stare as he sat and waited for the next question. The Atlético Madrid manager had been asked about reports he was the coach Paris Saint-Germain had identified as the ideal candidate to take over after they were eliminated by Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League but there was only one thing on his mind: not having the same fate befall his side.
Their league title defence over almost before it began, the Champions League is all Atlético have left. A month ago, most expected that not to last very long either and for the first time there were questions about Simeone’s future. But he said the significance of the club’s hierarchy backing him after a dreadful home defeat to Levante and with his authority re-established they have won four league games in succession since. They also had the better of the first leg against United, a 1-1 draw in Madrid, cautious optimism returning.
