The tie is evenly poised after the first leg in London ended in a 1-1 draw.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone (Photo: AFP)
Atletico Madrid will be taking no chances against Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League semi-final, Diego Simeone has stressed, even as the Argentine called on the Rojiblancos faithful to make the Wanda Metropolitano a cauldron when the Gunners visit.
“Tomorrow, we need our fans’ support. That they live and experience the match as if they were one of us,” That’ll be a great push for us. We need the stadium to be a party,” Simeone told his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
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“I said it after the match in London, we need a rocking atmosphere at the Wanda Metropolitano. We need our fans to transmit us excitement and positive energy.”
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Despite the fact that Atletico have a slight edge after the first leg in London ended in a 1-1 draw, Simeone stressed that their opponents have plenty of quality in their squad.
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“Arsenal have great players, a great coach and lots of players who attack through the lines.”
The Argentine tactician singled out the Gunners’ fullbacks as the dangermen for his side and added that the threat of an in-form Alexandre Lacazette is impossible to ignore.
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“They’re very fast in the final metres of the pitch and (Nacho )Monreal and (Hector) Bellerin add a great presence on the wings. (Alexandre ) Lacazette is a fantastic player. He has good movements and is good in the air.”
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“They have creative players. “To get this far (in the Europa League), you have to be a good side and it’s obvious Arsenal are that,” Simeone added.
The other semi-final sees Red Bull Salzburg host Olympique de Marseille. The French outfit won the first leg 2-0.
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