Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes composure will be the key to deciding whether his team or Real progress to the Champions League semi-finals.
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The game is sure to be played in a fiery atmosphere, and although Simeone’s side are known for their all-action approach the Argentine believes focus rather than passion will be decisive.
“Games like this bring responsibility, commitment and fear,” he said. “Whoever succeeds in putting those things to one side, and just playing the game, will have the advantage.”
Atletico are unbeaten in three outings at the Bernabeu this season, winning in La Liga and gaining draws in the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
But Simeone, as is habitual, downplayed his team’s excellent recent record over their more illustrious rivals, pointing to Los Blancos’ strong first-half performance in last week’s goalless first leg as an indication of their superiority.
“Madrid’s intensity was among the best I have seen this season,” he said. “They had link-up play, directness and pace. That’s what you expect from the best team in the world, which is what they are.”
The Atletico boss is sweating on the fitness of frontman Mario Mandzukic, whose physical battle with the Real back four was a notable feature of the first leg.
The Croat has been struggling with an ankle injury for the last few weeks and missed Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, instead undergoing extensive treatment.
And Simeone admits he has been preparing for the game with the possibility of Mandzukic being unavailable, adding: “We have been working with two groups so we can make changes. Mario has been improving in training and we hope he’ll be fit.
“We could also change during the game. And beyond the chalkboard we have to see how the game unfolds. I can choose whatever suits us best strategically.
“We have a clear idea of how we want to play and hurt them.”
Antoine Griezmann, however, is a certain starter after an explosive run of form, with the French international netting six goals in his last five outings to further strengthen his reputation as one of the best emerging forwards in Europe.
Simeone added: “He has improved a lot and his goals in the league back him up.
“He’s playing in a different environment, he’s young and he still has to grow and improve.”
Toni Kroos and Koke, meanwhile, exchanged a difference of opinion over Atletico’s wholehearted attitude as they prepare for their midfield showdown.
Madrid’s Kroos is less than impressed by Los Rojiblancos efforts to influence match officials, sending a clear message to German referee Felix Brych as he said: “Atletico are tough. We know how they play and they put a lot of pressure on the referee. But we have to concentrate on ourselves.”
Koke refused to accept those suggestions, however, replying: “There is a lot more to us than that.
“Sometimes you talk to a referee, that’s part of the game. But I don’t think it’s an important part of our identity. We go out onto the pitch and do our jobs.”
