Valverde is doing ‘incredible work’ at Barca, says Simeone

He also talked about the ‘pure quality’ of Lionel Messi

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has been talking about Lionel Messi and Ernesto Valverde ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Camp Nou.

Los Colchoneros head into the game eight points behind Barcelona with eight games left to play, and Simeone was asked about what he thought about Messi before going on to talk about his opposite number.

“The word isn’t ‘fear’, but respect,” he said, regarding the GOAT.

“There is a seniority Barcelona have, and what I would call the incredible work the coach is doing, keeping them alive in three competitions.

”Last season, they went through in Rome what happened to us in Turin [when Atleti lost 3-0 to Juventus], and they couldn’t win everything, but they tried for the treble.

”Now, they have an enviable position in the league, in the Champions League... it’s difficult to be a team like that and keep winning. Valverde, with his style of play, is having an amazing season.”

Source | Yahoo Sports

Simeone has famously never beaten Barcelona in La Liga as Atletico coach, but he’ll know that victory on Saturday will cut the gap to five points and pile the pressure on the champions.