Atltico – Liverpool: The 'Diego Costa Effect' for a shock therapy | Champions League 2019

Monday,
17
February
2020

23:33

The striker returns to the list after overcoming a cervical hernia operation and may have minutes against Liverpool. A year ago, against Juve, he reappeared as a starter revolutionizing the team

Simeone (left) and Diego Costa, during training.
REUTERS

Shortly before noon on Monday, Diego Costa, with his classic hat on his head and that perennial smile, enjoyed himself as a child trying to get anyone to steal his ball in the round arranged on the hillside of Cerro del Espino. Hours later, Simeone, in the lectern of the Metropolitan Auditorium confirmed what is coming around: It is improving, it is growing, it is training with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm and it is within the group of 19 players who are concentrated. You have the possibility to play.

Since the operation of a cervical disc herniation, the date of this first assault against Liverpool had been stamped on the striker's calendar. Come back stronger than ever. It will be a signing for the last three months and in the final stretch of the course be flying, his former companion pointed to this newspaper Juanfran Torres, all for December. Costa was the secret weapon that Simeone used to agitate the round trip of eighths of a year ago, against Juventus. Perhaps the best official game that is reminded of the rojiblanco team in this period. And Costa, absent in the lap because of an absurd yellow, was one of the reasons why the Atlantic never gave signs of life on Turn. As if destiny wanted to repeat history again. Although this time, to do so, be after three months of unemployment (he said goodbye on November 10 with 10 minutes before Espanyol), without a single minute of competition to acclimatize. His coach has never lost a gram of faith in him.

With or without the long-awaited front, opposite is the fierce Liverpool of Jurgen Klopp. Only eight months ago he presented himself with a beer and a European champion's crown in the same gallery where yesterday he showed respect to the Atlantic. Two teams with opposite styles, but with similar enthusiasm coaches. People say that I am very emotional in the band. But if I'm a level four, Simeone is a twelve. I am at the nursery level with respect to him, Klopp smiling bra.

The Naples stripped Klopp

The German technician did not stop pulling arguments to defend Cholo's work and career. It has been seven years more successful than the previous 15. He has lost Griezmann, Godn, Gabi the previous year, and that is difficult, he proclaimed in front of the auditorium, distrusting the virtues of his counterpart. Because it is true that Liverpool in the Premier knows no rival (25 wins and a draw), but also that he was not able to defeat the Naples in the group stage of the Champions League: I lost in Italy (2-0) and tied in Anfield, in front of its people (1-1).

It is a match in two stages. And I have no doubt that double game there are 50 percent of possibilities for everyone, there are no differences, there are no maximum possibilities … It is a game, Simeone insists, trying to morally arm a team that regains enthusiasm in Mestalla, but that does not end up chaining a course consisting of LaLiga. I rely a lot on my soccer players. Much, I again highlighted the Argentine, aware that a blow to Liverpool will return the faith.

To try to stop the network machinery, the Atlantic resort to the four midfielders that already used in Mestalla. Unless surprise, be the most important day of Marcos Llorente, whereby the club invested about 40 million in summer. Be another one of those great European nights in the Metropolitan. Liverpool is the last red and white train to keep the illusion of a tough transition.

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