El Cholo won't be taking any chances when Los Rojiblancos travel to Istanbul to take on Besiktas on Thursday.
Diego Simeone, the Argentine coach of Atletico Madrid, believes his team's Europa League round of 16 clash with Besiktas in Istanbul will be very complicated, despite the fact that Los Rojiblancos come into the game with a two-goal advantage, after having beaten the Turks 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg of the tie.
Simeone admitted that his team may have a significant advantage, but that they have to play their hearts out because there is still a long way to go.
"What we saw last week in the game between Arsenal and Milan has taught us that the Cup is unpredictable and, no matter the result, the teams who play at home in the second game are always alive.
"We believe, even with a 3-0 result, the match would be very tough. We have the best concentration and preparation to play against great rivals," affirmed the coach, ahead of what is expected to be a very hotly contested encounter.
Simeone has yet to decide whether he will make any modifications to his starting eleven for the clash: "We will see how we play and after that we will decide whether we will change and play with only one forward and five midfielders or if we will maintain our usual formation with four in the middle and two forwards."
Since the appointment of Simeone, Atletico Madrid have been in sensational form and with seven victories on the trot in the Europa League, Los Rojiblancos are heavily favoured to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Simeone admitted that his team may have a significant advantage, but that they have to play their hearts out because there is still a long way to go.
"What we saw last week in the game between Arsenal and Milan has taught us that the Cup is unpredictable and, no matter the result, the teams who play at home in the second game are always alive.
"We believe, even with a 3-0 result, the match would be very tough. We have the best concentration and preparation to play against great rivals," affirmed the coach, ahead of what is expected to be a very hotly contested encounter.
Simeone has yet to decide whether he will make any modifications to his starting eleven for the clash: "We will see how we play and after that we will decide whether we will change and play with only one forward and five midfielders or if we will maintain our usual formation with four in the middle and two forwards."
Since the appointment of Simeone, Atletico Madrid have been in sensational form and with seven victories on the trot in the Europa League, Los Rojiblancos are heavily favoured to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
