Diego Simeone: Barcelona are ‘playing a different sport’ | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has early this week moved to make clear his appreciation for the current level of La Liga rivals Barcelona.

This of course comes with the Blaugrana fresh off nothing short of an explosive opening to the new campaign.

Hansi Flick’s troops have taken to the pitch on eight occasions between La Liga and the Champions League this term, with a perfect record of eight wins to their name.

Not only that, but the reigning Spanish champions are tearing opposing backlines apart with ease, with 36 goals scored.

Such exploits have seen Barca widely labelled European football’s most in-form team at present, already emerging as one of the very frontrunners to go all the way on the continent this season.

And as alluded to above, one individual who has been left in awe by the recent endeavours of Flick’s side is Diego Simeone. Speaking during an exchange with ESPN, as cited by journalist Fabrizio Romano, on Monday, Atlético boss Simeone revealed his take that:

“It seems Barcelona is playing a different sport from the one we’re playing. They didn’t have a number 9 striker, then Raphinha showed up and scored 12 goals.

“And Yamal, if I’m not mistaken, scored 7.

“They press you in your own stadium and steal your time, and they don’t fear taking risks and conceding a goal. They are the BEST right now.”

Conor Laird – GSFN