Diego Simeone Warns Atletico Against Underestimating Tottenham

Diego Simeone press conference 

Atletico Madrid's Simeone warns against underestimating struggling Tottenham in Champions League.

Tottenham's relegation battle. takes backseat to Atletico clash, says Simeone...

Diego Simeone's got a lot of respect for Cristian Romero, saying he's a “big fan” of the Tottenham captain ahead of their Champions League clash. Simeone was even linked to signing Romero last year, but the Argentine centre-back ended up committing to Spurs until 2029.

Romero's been under fire recently, but Simeone's backing him big time. "I'm a big fan,” Simeone said, showing his support for the player he'd previously been linked to sign.

Romero's been at the center of controversy this season, getting sent off twice and sparking criticism for his lack of discipline. He's also been vocal on social media, making pointed comments about the club's hierarchy.

Simeone came to Romero's defense ahead of the Champions League tie in North London, showing strong support for his fellow Argentine. When asked about Romero, Simeone wasn't having it, backing his player.

“I speak from a point of view as an Argentina fan. I admire his personality, his character, his defensive work and his football ability on the ball,” Simeone told reporters on Tuesday.

“As a fan of Argentina, I have seen him play more games for the national team than I have for Spurs, but I'm a big fan of him, for sure.”

Cristian Romero's availability for tonight's Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid is a much-needed boost for Tottenham, who are dealing with a plethora of injuries. The Argentine defender suffered a head clash with teammate Joao Palhinha in the first leg and missed Sunday's draw at Liverpool, but he's back in training and ready to take on Atletico.

📍Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/AgX0wvfouy

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 17, 2026

Atletico, on the other hand, are strong favorites to advance to the quarterfinals after their 5-2 thrashing of Tottenham in Madrid last week. Igor Tudor's side will need a miracle to turn the tie around, especially with at least 11 players missing from their squad.

Tottenham's season has hit rock bottom, with the team languishing just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. They're fighting to avoid a first-ever relegation to the second tier since 1977/78, making survival their top priority.

Despite their struggles, Simeone's warning to Atletico players is clear: don't underestimate Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The hosts rescued a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, showing they're still capable of getting results.

Tottenham vs Atleti squad list! pic.twitter.com/RusaP1sGot

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 17, 2026