Despite beating them, Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone now calls Inter the Champions League’s strongest team, a change from his prior praise for Arsenal after their dominant performance.
Following his side’s dramatic late win over Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone surprisingly shifted his previously held opinion on Arsenal, naming the Italian side as the strongest team in the Champions League, according to reports following the match.
Despite Arsenal maintaining the competition’s only 100% record and securing a victory over Bayern Munich, Simeone’s post-match comments suggested his recent opponents offered a tougher challenge.
Speaking after Atletico clinched a 2-1 win over Inter on Wednesday, Simeone was unequivocal, stating: “There’s no doubt about it. Inter are the strongest team in the Champions League right now.”
This new declaration contrasts sharply with his assessment of the Gunners following their dominant 4-0 defeat of his side earlier in the campaign. After that match, Simeone had told Amazon Prime:
“I would say they are the best team we have faced this season. They compete so well, they run and they run, and they have quality all over the pitch.”
Simeone’s latest ranking suggests Inter’s tactical strength, even in defeat, surpassed the impression left by Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Argentine noted that his strategy was to “play a first half to hinder their play,” suggesting he believes Inter poses the benchmark test in this year’s competition.