Champions League, Diego Simeone warns Inter Milan.

Diego Simeone warns Inter

For many insiders, the urn of the Champions League round of 16 draws was benevolent to Inter Milan, since its opponents in the round of 16 are Atletico Madrid, a club that despite its first place in its Champions League group was considered the "lesser evil" compared to potential opponents such as Manchester City or Bayern Munich. Diego Simeone, who among other things as a player wore the Nerazzurri jersey, wanted to set the record straight by warning his next opponents in Europe.

"The Champions League è inevitably complicated – Simeone said during the press conference presenting the league match between his Atletico and Getafe. Inter è is in an extraordinary moment, especially in Serie A, and last year è made it all the way to the Champions League final: I like them a lot, I also love Simone Inzaghi and Javier Zanetti and I have a beautiful memory of my time there: but we will play it and I hope to give them a disappointment".

Simeone, born in 1970, played for Inter in two seasons, from 1997 to 1999. With the Nerazzurri jersey he did not win any trophies but was appreciated during his 85 total appearances between league and cups, scoring 14 goals equally divided between the two years. In the summer of 1999 he had then moved to Lazio, where he would later meet the current Inter coach, Simone Inzaghi, then a Biancoceleste striker.

Atletico Madrid's history in the Champions League è quite rich: although the Colchoneros have never managed to lift the Cup with the big ears they have come very close three times: in 1973/74 they lost the final to Bayern Munich in Brussels (1-1 after extra time the first game, 4-0 for the Germans the repeat), while in 2013/14 and 2015/16 they were mocked by their 'cousins' Real Madrid, victorious on the first occasion 4-1 after extra time in Lisbon (until the 'last minute of extra time in regulation play, the score was 1-0, then Sergio Ramos's goal), and in the second at San Siro after penalty kicks (1-1 after extra time, 5-3 on shots from the penalty spot after Juanfran's decisive mistake). However, on the continental level, Atletico boasts 3 Europa Leagues (2010, 2012, 2018), as many UEFA Super Cups (same years), a Cup Winners Cup (1962), and even an Intercontinental, played in 1974 in place of Bayern, which renounced.