Former Real Madrid and Brazil forward Ronaldo has hailed Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone as a great coach, although he doesn’t like the tactics that Simeone applies to get the results. The Brazilian was one of the greatest footballers of the generation, who in his time played for both Real Madrid and Barcelona. He was a legendary figure for Madrid being such a loved player that even rival fans found it hard to jeer him.
Real Madrid would be hoping that the Ronaldo that is currently in the team perform to his highest level to deliver the Undecima or the eleventh Champions League trophy. The forward has scored 16 goals in the Champions League this season, one short of the 17 goals he scored in the trophy winning season of the 13/14 season, when they beat the same rivals 4-1 in the Champions League final.
Los Blancos were trailing 1-0 to Atletico, but courtesy of a stoppage time Sergio Ramos header, the game went to extra time, where they scored three with Ronaldo scoring from the penalty spot. Cristiano would be looking to win his third Champions League trophy, while Real Madrid would look to add their eleventh trophy to their trophy room.
Diego Simeone has been the best thing that could have happened to Atletico Madrid and the La Liga, as he broke the duopoly of the Spanish Giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. He delivered a La Liga title in the 2013/14 season the club's first top-flight crown in 18 years by beating Barcelona at their own ground to claim the trophy.
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The Argentine has become one of the most sought after coaches in world football, although he is committed to Atletico and their fans, having played for the club before. His teams have a reputation of playing hard and rough football, that are result oriented and not style oriented.
But the three time-world-player-of-the-year Ronaldo, who at Inter Milan played alongside Diego Simeone, is not totally impressed with the Argentine and his brand of football.
"I am in love with football that is played well," Ronaldo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Simeone has an Argentinian temper and transmits that to his players. Things that I do not [personally] like, but he is a great coach.
"His team plays well, they are tight and compact. They have their own style and are difficult to deal with."
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Simeone has talked about a return to Inter in the coming future, with whom he won the UEFA Cup, now termed as the Europa League; in the 1997-98 season.
When the Brazilian was asked if El Cholo would go back to Inter, he added: "I think that sooner or later he will go back.
"I have said that many times because he is very close with the club."
