Diego Simeone denied that superstition has forced Atletico Madrid to trade London hotels for their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal by insisting their new base in Shoreditch is “cheaper”.
Atleti stayed in the four-star Marriott Hotel in Regents Park ahead of their 4-0 drubbing by Mikel Arteta’s side in the group phase back in October.
However, with the last-four clash poised at 1-1, the Spanish side have made the move across the capital to the five-star Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch, in east London, for Tuesday’s tie.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone puts his side through their paces
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone puts his side through their paces(Steven Paston/PA)
It had been reported that Simeone ordered the move on the belief that using the same base as their October drubbing could bring his players bad luck.
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But when quizzed about the decision, Simeone said with a smile: “The hotel was cheaper. That’s why we changed.”
Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, who scored from the penalty spot, and impressed in the opening leg last week, looks set to overcome injury to start for Atleti at the Emirates Stadium.
Alvarez, who Simeone revealed ahead of the match in Spain that Arsenal are interested in signing, could not complete the opening leg, and then did not feature at all in Atleti’s 2-0 win at Valencia last Saturday.
However, the Argentina international, who has scored 20 times for Atleti this season, has travelled to London.
And Simeone continued: “Julain Alvarez is important in this game because he knows the English league very well.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, second right, scored last week but then withdrew through injury (Manu Fernandez/AP)
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, second right, scored last week but then withdrew through injury (Manu Fernandez/AP)(Manu Fernandez/AP)
“He played really well last week, and I hope he can bring what he needs in the game tomorrow.
“As coaches, we have to think about what could happen but it is down to the players. We have to manage our emotions and play as well as possible.
“The game changes as soon as it kicks off. Over time, you do become patient. It is not about being passive, but calm, and that is what we need in this type of game.”
Antoine Griezmann has struck 212 goals in 494 appearances for Atleti, but Tuesday’s match against Arsenal will be his last on Europe’s biggest stage if they do not progress. He has never won the Champions League.
But the 35-year-old Frenchman, who is joining Major League Soccer side Orlando City at the end of the season said: “It is not something I am thinking about.
Antoine Griezmann is nearing the end of his long journey with Atletico Madrid
Antoine Griezmann is nearing the end of his long journey with Atletico Madrid(Steven Paston/PA)
“I am looking forward to the game tomorrow, it will be a great contest to be part of, and I hope we can have the right attitude and play with the right pressure and build on our second-half performance from the first leg.
“Every time we start a Champions League campaign you can see yourself lifting the trophy, and any child in their bedroom would do the same.
“We are just two games away now and we have to get it right, tactically defensively and going forward, and of course we need more goals (than Arsenal).”