Simeone: "We play against the best, I have no doubts about it"

Simeone praised Barcelona as possibly the best team in Europe ahead of Saturday's La Liga clash at the Metropolitano, highlighting Raphinha's threat and the tactical shift in Flick's setup.

Diego Simeone held his pre-match press conference on Saturday, November 7, ahead of Atlético Madrid's home fixture against Barcelona at the Metropolitano. The Atlético manager acknowledged Barcelona's quality, stating "we play against a very good team, possibly the best, I have no doubts," and emphasized the importance of executing their game plan against a side with significant attacking talent from midfield forward.

Simeone analysed Barcelona's evolution under their current manager, noting that the team has successfully implemented a high-pressing, high-line approach that recovers possession frequently and generates goals. He identified Raphinha as a key difference from last season, explaining that the winger's positioning as a playmaker or left-sided attacker creates numerical superiority in midfield and depth in the final phase of play—a different dynamic from the more positional number 9 role of previous campaigns.

When asked about Atlético's ability to compete with Barcelona on equal terms, Simeone acknowledged they expect to suffer for large periods but will attempt to execute their tactical approach. He called on the home crowd's support, noting that the team's response improves when the fans make themselves felt inside the stadium.