Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone on the Premier League: “No one defends”

Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has given his opinion on the tactical stylings of the Premier League.

This comes amid suggestions on the part of the Argentinan that the English top-flight focuses too heavily on attacking verve.

Simeone, for his part, has of course long garnered a reputation as one of European football’s stingiest tacticians.

Owing largely to a rock-solid defensive setup, the Argentine tactician managed to beat the odds in guiding his Atléti side to both domestic titles and European finales.

His current Rojiblancos setup boasts a more forward-thinking mindset, but, evidently, Simeone remains a staunch believer in top sides being built on a solid defensive foundation.

In turn, speaking to Cadena Ser on Tuesday, the 53-year-old made use of the opportunity to talk about the Premier League, for what he views as an excessively attack-based mindset:

“If you ask me which one I identify with… I like to defend well. You watch English football and there are only 4-4, 6-3… But no one defends. I watch it and I think that no one defends.“

He continued: “I think that if I can do it, and I can get closer to them in attack, I can become the champion. Barca became champions last year because of a solid defence.”

Conor Laird | GSFN