'El Cholo' is eagerly awaiting what he believes will be an extremely stiff all-Spanish affair at the Vicente Calderon on Thursday.
Diego Simeone expects his side to be in for an extremely difficult contest when they battle with Valencia in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday.
Simeone is well aware of the threat posed by opponents Valencia but believes his team can obtain the desired result if they manage to maintain their concentration throughout the entire ninety minutes.
"It will be a tough match, we have to play serious and to win the game in the best possible manner," said Simeone.
The Argentine praised both sides by stating: "They are two teams that give their all almost always and they know exactly what they are playing for."
Since being appointed the new coach of Atletico Madrid last December, Simeone has managed to turn around the club's fortune almost instantly, and he is just a step away from leading them to the final of the Europa League.
"For me arriving here [the semi-finals] means hope for the entire club," affirmed the coach, who expects the Vicente Calderon to be packed to its rafters with Atletico fans on Thursday.
Simeone, who won both the Spanish league title and the Copa del Rey with Atletico during his time as a player, also had time to praise both Valencia coach Unai Emery and star striker Roberto Soldado.
"He [Emery] is a great coach who is doing a great job, but we are only thinking about ourselves, we are more than aware that maintaining our concentration tomorrow will be necessary against this team."
Finally, in relation to Soldado he said: "He is a great player, fast, strong and different and we will be keeping a close eye on him."
Simeone will be hoping to guide Atletico to a valuable victory on Thursday, which would put them in a strong position to confront the return leg of the tie at the Mestalla stadium.
Simeone is well aware of the threat posed by opponents Valencia but believes his team can obtain the desired result if they manage to maintain their concentration throughout the entire ninety minutes.
"It will be a tough match, we have to play serious and to win the game in the best possible manner," said Simeone.
The Argentine praised both sides by stating: "They are two teams that give their all almost always and they know exactly what they are playing for."
Since being appointed the new coach of Atletico Madrid last December, Simeone has managed to turn around the club's fortune almost instantly, and he is just a step away from leading them to the final of the Europa League.
"For me arriving here [the semi-finals] means hope for the entire club," affirmed the coach, who expects the Vicente Calderon to be packed to its rafters with Atletico fans on Thursday.
Simeone, who won both the Spanish league title and the Copa del Rey with Atletico during his time as a player, also had time to praise both Valencia coach Unai Emery and star striker Roberto Soldado.
"He [Emery] is a great coach who is doing a great job, but we are only thinking about ourselves, we are more than aware that maintaining our concentration tomorrow will be necessary against this team."
Finally, in relation to Soldado he said: "He is a great player, fast, strong and different and we will be keeping a close eye on him."
Simeone will be hoping to guide Atletico to a valuable victory on Thursday, which would put them in a strong position to confront the return leg of the tie at the Mestalla stadium.
