DIEGO SIMEONE: Anceloti Has Improved Madrid

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes that on Wednesday night his troops will be facing a stronger Real Madrid side than the one they defeated earlier this season. The Rojiblancos triumphed 1-0 when the city rivals met at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga in September, with Diego Costa netting the only goal of the game 11 minutes in.

However, Simeone feels that it would be a mistake to attach any great significant to that result ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final, first-leg clash.


"When we faced Madrid, in week six of the league, they’d had very few games with their coach [Carlo Ancelotti]," the Argentine told reporters.

"They’ve got better and have developed a 4-3-3 that works well for the attackers they’ve got. There’s no doubt they’re better now."

However, Simeone insists that he is looking forward to the challenge of trying to upset Madrid once again.

"Last weekend I said that the more times you play the best, the better you get," he explained.

"With how tough they make it for you. I’d play every friendly against them. Every single friendly of the summer."