Simeone Highlights Premier League Speed Before Tottenham Clash

Diego Simeone, the coach of Atletico Madrid, emphasized the speed of Premier League teams in a press conference before their Champions League last-16 tie against Tottenham Hotspur. He remarked that English teams are faster, although he could not pinpoint the reason for this observation.

Simeone stated that five English teams finished in the top eight of the European competition, with six reaching the last 16, compared to only three from Spain. He acknowledged the intensity of the game and mentioned that Tottenham, despite being embroiled in a relegation battle, finished fourth in the league phase.

Simeone did not consider Atletico as favorites for the match, despite Tottenham's recent five-match losing streak. He also referenced the arrival of midfielder Conor Gallagher at Tottenham in January, highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming match.