Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is happy both the Colchoneros and Lazio have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 and believes he will ‘surely’ return to Serie A one day.
Both Lazio and Atletico Madrid have already qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 from Group E, but they will meet at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday to determine the group winner.
The La Liga giants are the current leaders with 11 points, while Lazio have 10 so the Bianconcelesti must win in Spain to be top-seeded in the Round of 16 draw.
“It would be great to win the group, but it’s not vital. We’ll see who makes it tomorrow. Lazio have done fairly well in the Champions League, we’ll see good football tomorrow,” Simeone told Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday.
The reverse fixture in Rome ended in a 1-1 draw inspired by a late goal from Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel.
“There is no revenge in football. In Rome, Lazio played well in the first half and we played better in the second half. I don’t imagine a quiet game tomorrow,” said Simeone, a former Lazio midfielder and Catania coach.
El Cholo also played for Pisa, Inter and Lazio in Serie A while his spell at Catania in 2011 was his only experience in Italy’s top flight as a coach. However, the 53-year-old believes he will return to working on the Peninsula one day.
“I like Italy so much, I will surely return one day. I am convinced one day I’ll have a chance to go back to Italy I am sure about it,” he said.
Simeone also spoke about the Lazio game during his pre-match press conference as quoted by Cittàceleste.
“They won the last game and would have qualified if we had won. It happened, so I was twice as happy at the end of it,” he said as quoted by Cittàceleste. I am happy Lazio and Atletico will play in the Round of 16. It’s good for Lazio’s growth, a team that gave me so much as a footballer. I will never forget the love of the people. There are always nice memories when you play against a team you love.”