Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone praises Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte ahead of Champions League showdown

DIEGO SIMEONE admits he is second best to Antonio Conte as the two prepare for a dugout face off.

Hothead Simeone was uncharacteristically diplomatic ahead of tonight’s Champions League showdown at Atletico’s brand new 68,000 seater stadium.

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Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa may be paraded before a full house after a move back to his former club was rubber stamped last night.

Costa remains high on the agenda even though he cannot play until January because of the Spanish club’s transfer ban and Simeone was asked who is the better boss out of him and Conte.

Simeone said: “I love the kind of game they play, the intensity, the balance, the collective work rate in defence and knowing what they need to do on the pitch.

"That helped them win the Premier League last season.

“They're a very tough team with a very good manager who has instilled his personality in the team.”

Simeone refused to talk about Costa but admits his replacement at Chelsea Alvaro Morata is a handful.

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The former Real Madrid striker has scored six goals in six games but will get a heated reception as he faces his old club’s city rivals.

Simeone said: ““I'll talk about Morata. I'll not talk about Costa because he's not playing for Chelsea any more. Morata is a very important player, great movement in the box, he knows how to play with his back to goal and can keep the ball.

“He'll perform really well at Chelsea alongside players like Willian, Hazard and Pedro.”

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Atletico Madrid have been Champions League finalists twice in four seasons and knocked out Chelsea in 2014.

Midfielder Koke said: “This won't necessarily be the match to decide who wins the group, but it will be important.”

“We've been working really well for the last few years. Reached two finals, played semi-finals and quarter-finals, but I don't want to consider ourselves favourites. We have to work every day, and we'll think purely about tomorrow's game, rather than actually winning something.”

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