Simeone defends Mourinho over negative tactics
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has defended Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho over the Portuguese's supposed negative tactics.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9F7EBswkoKB8DgEUhFN5Wi.jpg)
Mourinho was accused of "parking two buses" by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers on Sunday, as Chelsea came away from Anfield with a 2-0 victory to blow the Premier League title race wide open.
The former Real Madrid coach also attracted criticism for a defensive display as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Atletico in last week's UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at Vicente Calderon.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's return leg, however, Simeone was quick to back Mourinho and stated that variety is good for football.
"If we played all the same, it would be boring," he said. "For that reason football is beautiful. You can win with 10 players at the back, with 10 forward and with 10 in the middle plus the keeper.
"I am very respectful of football in general. There are different ways to win a game. Everyone chooses the most appropriate for the team you have.
"Defending is not easy and when a team is doing very well, you have to congratulate them. Attacking, as well, you have to be congratulated if is done right."
Victory for Atletico would mean a first final appearance in Europe's premier competition since 1974.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
And Simeone said his charges will give their all to book a place in Lisbon.
"It is normal before an important match that the confidence of the players must appear," he added.
"The boys, as you see, are very excited. They will give it their best. They will have to make a huge effort."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack