Manchester City football director Txiki Begiristain says Atletico Madrid will pose serious problems for the Blues in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The two teams will meet in the last eight, with the first leg at the Etihad Stadium in just over a fortnight, and the second a week later. A huge title test with Liverpool coming between the two matches.
The reigning Spanish champions have been having a mixed season, slumping to fourth place in La Liga, 15 points behind leaders and neighbours Real Madrid, but knocked out Manchester United with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford to secure their place in the quarters. They also pulled off away wins at AC Milan and Porto in the group stages, although they lost both games against Liverpool and at home to Milan, who finished bottom.
Those results might indicate that Atletico might be more dangerous in the first leg, with City at home, but Begiristain says the Spaniards were better in the first leg of their last-16 clash with the Reds, which they drew 1-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico were underdogs in the return but went through as Renan Lodi scored the only goal.
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Begiristain, who was in Nyon for the draw, said: "Speaking of Atletico Madrid, basically they constantly improve themselves and have clear ideas. They played a much better game at home than against United. They defend very well, they are very solid and have quality on the counter."
Atletico coach Diego Simeone has a reputation for being a good defensive coach whose teams play well on the break, and in Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann, they have two world-class strikers who pose a huge threat on the counter-attack. That has been a vulnerability for City in recent seasons, and has hurt them again at times this season - although news that Ruben Dias should be fit in time to play in the tie is a huge boost.
Begiristian says the tie will be a real clash of styles, with Atletico always happy to have a lesser share of possession. He said: “It’s going to be a difficult one. They are two different styles – totally different – but with the same targets: to win.
“They are good at defending, good at staying there and they have the quality in the counter-attack to score goals. We are really different. It’s true that we also have the right balance – good in defence, defending well and not conceding many chances and goals, and creating good football but there are different styles."
The dates of the fixtures are yet to be set, but will take place on consecutive midweek dates, the first legs on April 5 and 6, and the second legs on April 12 and 13. The winners of that tie will go up against either Chelsea or Real Madrid in the semi-final, with the first leg again at home.
Begiristain says City are pushing for all three remaining trophies, as they lead the Premier League and face an FA Cup quarter-final at Southampton on Sunday: “The expectations are to compete - for the FA Cup, the league and the Champions League.
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“We want to be there and we are now where we have to be. You need luck, players fit… everything to get trophies – but we are on the right path to get them.”
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