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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Diego Simeone tells Atletico Madrid that Man City will be tougher test than Manchester United

Atletico Madrid will need to be far better against Manchester City than they were against Manchester United last month, manager Diego Simeone says.

Atletico are in Manchester for the second Champions League knockout round in succession as they face City in the quarter-finals. In the last-16, they drew with United in Madrid, before producing a perfect gameplan to win at Old Trafford and progress.

However, Simeone says his side will have a completely different test at the Etihad than they did at United, warning Atletico players to improve their performance levels if they want to progress.

ALSO READ: John Stones in Man City training but no Ruben Dias ahead of Atletico Madrid

He said: "United had different characteristics than City, more direct, quicker. City are more positional, in all areas they manage things well.

"We'll have to increase and be better in the good things we did two weeks ago. We'll play where we think we can hurt them, use our characteristics the way we've played for years. We play to compete and we'll see."

Against United, Atletico were away in the second leg but have home advantage in the second game in the quarter-final. However, Simeone said they won't change their approach at the Etihad.

"Knockout games we're always used to see them and play them, it's a long-form game," he said. Within that you do what you need in each game.

"Tomorrow we have the first game against a really tough opponent to play on the counter and press high, build from the back, put balls into the box and flood the box with players. Tomorrow we will compete against them."

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