Simeone reveals Chelsea weakness and backs Suarez to end barren run
Diego Simeone has backed Luis Suarez to end Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten run.
The Atletico Madrid manager believes Chelsea’s sequence of 13 games without defeat could actually work against them in Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 second leg – warning Tuchel’s players won’t know how to react to a setback.
The Spanish giants must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at Stamford Bridge after defeat in the neutral venue of Bucharest last month.
Simeone is hoping Suarez can end his barren run in Europe after failing to score in any of Atletico’s Champions League games so far this season. And he believes that could set panic in the Chelsea ranks.
“I believe Suarez is very important for us,” he said. “Probably tomorrow is the right day for Luis Suarez to end the (goalless) streak. Why not? Tomorrow could be a beautiful day.
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“I believe today Chelsea don’t have a weakness. The only thing is they don’t know what can happen from a negative point of view.
“They have not had a negative result yet and that will be a question until it happens.”
Atletico ended Liverpool’s reign as champions of Europe at the same stage of the competition last year.
Simeone added: “We are facing a team that has done quite well since their coach has come, they have never lost. They feel strong at home and are playing quite well.
“They have had games like us around the Champions League matches that have been close and tough. Tomorrow, we just have one result, to win. We have to take the match where we want so we can win with a goal.
🏟️ 22 games.
⚽️ 17 goals.🔥🔝🔥 @LuisSuarez9 is the top scoring new signing in #LaLigaSantander this season. pic.twitter.com/dXRVbC4bBv
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 9, 2021
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“The single idea is to win.
“You can start winning in minute 84 or minute 10 because they are all possible results. The aim is to take the match to them after the second leg for the situations to be improved.
“We don’t know how they will think about the match, but I know what we want from the match which is to win it.”