Celtic are in Madrid and raring to take on giants Atletico in a crucial Champions League clash. The Hoops must take something from the game if they are to have any chance of progressing in Europe.
The hosts, however, will have other ideas. Atleti are a top European side, but their gaffer, Diego Simeone, expects the Scottish champions to play the exact same way they did two weeks ago. He said (Football Scotland): “I think they will play exactly the same way. They played just like that against Feyenoord, Lazio and us. That’s their style and I expect nothing else but them coming out the same way.”
It will undoubtedly be a totally different ball game for the Bhoys over in Madrid compared to at Celtic Park. That won’t stop Brendan Rodgers from implementing the same principles of football, though.
The Irishman’s game plan was rather effective a few weeks ago, and it drew visible frustrations from Simeone at full-time. The Atleti boss, though, revealed the respect he has for his upcoming opponents. He said: “There is equal respect between Atletico and Celtic. It’s a team I have respected since I sat down to talk about them. They play a style of football I really like, so I have full respect for Celtic.”
Although there may be high regard from the opposition camp, there is no denying that Atletico are traditionally a side who have little regard for sportsmanship. This was evident at Parkhead a fortnight ago, and it will be intriguing to see if the same rings true on Tuesday.
