Simeone’s Atletico Madrid May Meet Liverpool Again in Champions League; Bodo/Glimt’s Coach Inspired by Klopp’s Teams
Liverpool is aware that they could face either Galatasaray or Atletico Madrid in the upcoming Champions League round of 16 draw. The Reds are poised to meet these two teams as both have successfully advanced in the tournament.
Galatasaray secured their spot despite a 3-2 loss to Juventus, who managed a valiant comeback after losing the first leg. Juventus was reduced to ten players when Lloyd Kelly received a red card early in the second half but still pushed hard to level the tie.
Atletico Madrid triumphed over Club Brugge with a 4-1 victory, totaling 7-4 on aggregate after a thrilling first leg. If Atletico is drawn against Liverpool, it will mark the sixth and seventh encounters between the two teams in recent years.
Since their knockout of Liverpool in March 2020, the clubs have faced each other thrice during group stages, with Liverpool winning each time. The last meeting saw a dramatic late goal from Virgil van Dijk that led to Simeone’s emotional reaction.
Reflecting on the recent victory against Brugge, Simeone expressed pride in his team, emphasizing their resilience. He mentioned that the focus is on their own performance rather than on upcoming opponents like Liverpool or Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt’s manager, Kjetil Knutsen, noted his team’s success has been inspired by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. After securing their place in the knockout phase with impressive wins, Knutsen emphasized the importance of a clear identity and hard work in building a competitive team.
The Champions League draw is set for Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where teams will learn their opponents and potential future matchups as well.
