Simeone warns Atletico of Premier League pace ahead of Tottenham Champions League clash
Diego Simeone does not care where Tottenham sit in the Premier League table. What worries him is how fast they play.
Speaking on Monday ahead of Atletico Madrid's Champions League last-16 first leg against Tottenham at the Metropolitano, the Argentine coach turned his attention to the speed of English football. He has faced plenty of Premier League sides over the years but still finds the intensity striking.
The fastest league in the world
"English teams have a faster pace. I don't know why, I can't quite put my finger on it," Simeone told reporters. "Some say the referees let the game flow more. I don't know if it's the tactics or the pre-game preparation, but it's true that the speed is faster."
"When you watch it on television, you can see that the speed is faster than in Spain, Italy, Germany. It's the fastest league."
The numbers back up the Premier League's European dominance this season. Five English clubs finished in the top eight of the Champions League league phase and six made the last 16, compared to three Spanish sides, the next most represented nation.
Tottenham's strange season
Tottenham arrive in Madrid in the middle of one of the strangest seasons in the club's history. They sit 16th in the Premier League on 29 points from 29 games, just one point above the relegation zone. They are winless in the league in 2026 and have lost five straight matches. Thomas Frank was sacked in February and replaced by interim coach Igor Tudor, who has not yet managed to stop the slide.
And yet Spurs finished fourth in the Champions League league phase. In Europe, they have been a different animal entirely.
Simeone refused to treat them as underdogs. "When you step onto the pitch, you don't remember where you are in the standings or what moment you're in," he said. "The players want to win, to play well. I don't know anyone who thinks about their league position when they're about to have a shot."
He did add, though, that pace alone would not be enough. "Technical quality will also play its part," Simeone said. "They cannot win just by intensity."
Gallagher returns
One player Simeone knows well is Conor Gallagher, who joined Tottenham from Atletico in January for around 40 million euros after a season and a half in Spain. The English midfielder played 77 games for Atletico, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists across all competitions.
"He's a young man who worked with us with great humility and who arriving from midfield is very dangerous," Simeone said. "He behaved very well here, and we have very fond memories of his time at Atletico."
Fond memories or not, Gallagher will want to hurt his old club on Tuesday night. Tudor's side desperately need a good European result to lift the gloom of their domestic season, while Simeone's Atletico will be looking to take a lead back to north London for the second leg.
