Diego Simeone set for 1001st game as Atlético face Arsenal in Champions League | OneFootball

Diego Simeone will take charge of his 1001st match on Tuesday night, the Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

According to L'Équipe, after reaching 1000 games last weekend he has treated this European run as a release after nine years away from this stage. Those around him describe him as obsessed with the Champions League, convinced this season could be the one, and senior figures insist he will stay next season regardless.

Before the quarter-final with Barcelona, which finished 2-0 and 1-2, he parked his game-by-game mantra and spoke of five matches left. With stalwarts Griezmann, Koke and Oblak, he dreams of being the first to lift the trophy for Atlético after 2014 and 2016.

The 56-year-old is under contract until 2027 and the hierarchy aim to extend him for a ninth time. Already the longest-serving coach on a bench in the five major European leagues, he remains the cornerstone and is on course for a 14th straight Champions League qualification.

He believes a new generation, featuring Alvarez, Lookman, Barrios, Baena and Giuliano Simeone, can win trophies quickly. March’s arrival of Apollo as majority shareholder, and the appointment of sporting director Mateu Alemany, also encourage him to continue.

For now, only Arsenal and the present occupy the Cholo’s mind.

Source: L'Équipe