Diego Simeone Praises Tottenham's Cristian Romero Amid Atletico Madrid Links

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has instructed his squad to play for victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, as they aim to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals at the Tottenham Stadium. Simeone also offered praise for Spurs defender Cristian Romero, a player with whom Atletico has previously been linked.

Despite holding a significant three-goal advantage over Tottenham after their 5-2 triumph in Madrid last week, Simeone stressed the importance of approaching the second leg proactively. He advised his team to focus on the game ahead rather than merely preserving their lead, drawing a parallel to their previous vulnerability in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona, despite a commanding 4-0 home win.

"We need to play the game as it unfolds. There's a three-goal difference; we need to win, and the most effective way to achieve that is to score first and make their position more challenging."

Marcos Llorente's Impact Against English Teams

Midfielder Marcos Llorente, one of the goalscorers from the first leg, boasts an impressive record against English opposition. Notably, five of his nine Champions League goals for Atletico Madrid have come against Premier League clubs.

"He is crucial in every match, not just against English teams. His progression has been consistent, evolving from not even being selected for games when he initially arrived, to fiercely competing, demonstrating his readiness for this major step from that league title year until now. He remains a vital component of our squad."

Simeone Praises Cristian Romero

Last summer, before David Hancko's signing, Atletico Madrid was strongly linked with a move for Romero, who had openly expressed a desire to play in La Liga. Julian Alvarez also confirmed discussions about Romero potentially joining the club, fueling ongoing speculation that the defender could depart Spurs this summer.

"As an Argentinian fan, I admire his personality, his playing style, his defensive work. Having seen more games with the national team than with Tottenham, I am unequivocally an admirer of his."

Johnny Cardoso: Learning from Past Challenges

Another midfielder currently in excellent form is USMNT's Johnny Cardoso. He has established himself as a regular starter in 2026, showcasing some of his best football of the season.

Cardoso told reporters, "Initially, it was complex, but now I feel good, contributing, though I know I can still improve."

Concerning their 3-0 Copa del Rey second-leg defeat to Barcelona, Cardoso viewed it not as a cause for concern regarding their ability to maintain an advantage, but rather as a valuable lesson to help them manage future games.

"It can help us understand what mistakes to avoid and what areas can be enhanced. We don't play with the advantage in mind; we are very intense, and they are an opponent that has conceded few goals here."

Atletico Madrid are considered strong favorites to advance past Spurs, where they would then face either Barcelona or Newcastle United in the quarter-finals.