Pietro Lo Monaco eulogises Diego Simeone and compares him to Jose Mourinho, whilst also backing Juventus in the Champions League.
The current Messina owner and former Catania director hired Atletico Madrid’s Simeone as Coach for the Elefanti back in 2011.
Pietro Lo Monaco eulogises Diego Simeone and compares him to Jose Mourinho, whilst also backing Juventus in the Champions League.
The current Messina owner and former Catania director hired Atletico Madrid’s Simeone as Coach for the Elefanti back in 2011.
In the build-up to this evening’s Juventus-Atletico Madrid clash in Turin, to determine placing and progress to the Last 16 of the Champions League, the Argentine recalled his time in Sicily fondly.
Remembering the Coach for his motivational skills, Lo Monaco has paid tribute.
“We needed someone who could give us a jolt and I thought of Cholo,” explained Lo Monaco, in an interview with Tuttosport.
“The choice proved to be correct. Diego is ideal if you're looking for someone who knows how to stimulate a team.
“A top-level Coach synthesises tactical skill with the personality of a true leader.
“Compared to Simeone there are some colleagues who may be more qualified to work on the pitch – I think, for instance, of [Fiorentina Coach Vincenzo] Montella.
“But in terms of the ability to rile up the environment, the Argentine has no rivals. He's on a par with Mourinho, to be clear.
“Diego knows how to be tough, when he has to handle the changing room, but he's also a person who knows how to make jokes and be at the other end of them.
“He's not prickly at all, and it's not true that he dislikes Juventus. He is professionally competitive, and those who are not on his side are always the enemy, speaking in terms of sports.”
As for Juventus themselves, Lo Monaco anticipated a Champions League semi-final.
“I don't know if they'll finish first or second, but they will qualify from the group and with a little luck they'll be among the top four.
“In the Champions League only Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern are worth more than Juve.
“Chelsea, for example, are not superior to the Italian champions. Nor for that matter is Atletico.”