There is another duel parallel to the one on the pitch that takes place between Atlético-Manchester City in the quarterfinals of this Champions League. It is the one played from the press room by the two coaches, great footballers, great coaches too, the two best paid in the world. If in the days before the first confrontation everything was flowers and compliments to each other, after the second leg, a phrase from Pep sounded precisely the opposite. “In prehistory, today and in 100,000 years, it is very difficult to attack a 5-5 formation… They have adjusted and put Griezmann on the far right and João on the far left,” he said. Immediately, a heavyweight from the red and white squad replied to him on social networks, captain Koke: “In love with your story since prehistory. Proud to be from Atleti“.
This morning the second part of that duel was experienced in the press rooms. And Simeone has responded elegantly to Guardiola’s dart after the 1-0 first leg, Cholo’s board winning in the duel in Manchester.
“I always say the same thing. From 2005 to today he was never contemptuous of a colleague of mine.. Because I always put myself in the shoes of the coaches I compete with and there are different ways to express what you feel. When one is contemptuous I do not share it. The opinions of journalists, former players, people who don’t play and want to say something because the fish dies through its mouth, as my father used to say. The words are free and everyone can comment. There are ways, and I choose to respect my colleagues always“. Well, that. And that does not change in prehistory or even after 100,000 years.