Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone offered high praise for their upcoming Champions League quarter-final opponents, Borussia Dortmund, declaring them the toughest challenge they could have faced.
Despite being ranked fifth in the Bundesliga, Dortmund is perceived by many as the underdog in the tournament, but Simeone vehemently disagreed.
As Atletico braces to face Dortmund in the first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium, Simeone emphasised the formidable qualities of their opponents. "Borussia are our most formidable adversaries," he asserted during a press briefing. "They possess a plethora of strengths, maintaining an unbeaten streak away from home for four months and exhibiting prowess in swift counter-attacks."
Simeone highlighted Dortmund's prowess at both ends of the pitch, emphasising their resilience in defence and their potency in attack. "They excel in both penalty areas and exhibit unparalleled intensity amongst the remaining teams in the competition," he noted.
While Dortmund last clinched the Champions League title in 1997, with their most recent semi-final appearance in 2013, Simeone, who stands on the brink of his 50th Champions League victory as a coach, remains driven to secure Atletico's maiden triumph in the tournament.
Atletico's defender, Axel Witsel, echoed Simeone's sentiments, emphasising the need for a focused approach ahead of their clash with Dortmund. "We adhere to Cholo's philosophy of taking it one game at a time," Witsel affirmed. "Our sole focus is on the upcoming match; we cannot afford to look beyond that."
Having spent four successful seasons at Dortmund before joining Atletico in 2022, Witsel possesses firsthand knowledge of Dortmund's strengths. "They're a formidable opponent; my time there was immensely rewarding," he reflected. "Their high-pressing style, bolstered by the likes of Karim Adeyemi and Jadon Sancho, poses a significant threat."
As Atletico Madrid braces for a crucial showdown against Borussia Dortmund, the emphasis remains on seizing the moment and navigating past their resilient opponents in pursuit of Champions League glory.
