Lisbon (AFP)
The one-game quarter-finals are a leap "into cold water", according to Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann, where "experience will not matter" according to Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, they said. estimated on the eve of their Champions League confrontation.
Main points from the pre-match press conferences:
. Difficulty playing in a dry match
Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann: "We know they have a huge amount of experience in home and away matches, but in one game anything can happen. And Atletico doesn't have the experience of single matches, just like us. We're all going to be thrown into cold water, because of this situation, and the experience won't be as big a factor as it might have been. "
Jan Oblak, Atlético Madrid goalkeeper: "It's something new, playing in a dry game. Nobody knows that, so the experience won't matter. We have the same opportunities to win, and that's how we approach this match. "
. The absence of Timo Werner, who signed at Chelsea
Nagelsmann: "We have talked a lot about this subject. We must now stop talking about the absentees. We know that Werner is no longer there, but we have other players who are strong in attack. I do not yet know who will start the match, but we have players who didn't have a lot of playing time because of Timo's presence, and now we have the opportunity to bring them in. Some who were a bit in the shadows will be able to play an executive role ".
. How to put the team under pressure?
Nagelsmann: "We don't need to increase the pressure. We are playing a quarter-final of the Champions League, we would rather need to release the pressure. There is always nervousness, but we have prepared several scenarios, if we score first, if Atletico opens the scoring. We are focused on the game, we have worked on some things in training that we will try to put in place tomorrow. We want to get into the game and take the 'advantage the first. "
. Jacket, tie or tracksuit?
Nagelsmann: "I did not take the same clothes as when we played against Benfica in Lisbon (2-1 victory in the group stage), but I took enough clothes to possibly hold out until the final ( smile)."
. A possible final against Bayern
Nagelsmann: I know that for journalists a German final would be a great story, but we are not thinking further than tomorrow's match. Before meeting Bayern in the final, we still have some big challenges, in the form of big teams to eliminate. L'Atlético, and then Paris SG or Atalanta. And Bayern are not sure of being in the final either.
. Tactics
Nagelsmann: "They are very physical, they have a very strong central hinge with Gimenez and with Savic. We obviously will try to go through the wings, to spread and try to find spaces between their back lines. We will not go. not change style.
. Schik and Halstenberg uncertain
Nagelsmann: "We will see how they are. On Friday they were good. We will see if they can start and play 90 minutes, or if they start on the bench."
. The analogy with Liverpool
Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid coach: "many months have passed, and all the enthusiasm and excitement born after the victory against Liverpool has died down a bit because of the hundred and a few days we spent in quarantine . Then, with La Liga, all that seems far now. It will remain in the history of Atlético Madrid. But now, a new path begins tomorrow (Thursday) evening ".
. The year of Atlético?
Simeone: "I'm not going to get into any considerations other than tomorrow's match. It's not just important to win, it's a match that will allow us to continue in this competition. Anything that can arriving from Thursday night will depend on the result, so we are trying to prepare the game as it should. "
. Oblak, the key man?
Oblak: "I don't feel any pressure about it. I'm happy to be here. After so many years, so many matches, it's natural not to think about it anymore. That's why I have no pressure. I just do my best to help the team "
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