Sampaoli and Simeone take centre-stage at the Sanchez Pizjuan

The charismatic, dramatic, enthusiastic and expressive Argentines have crafted a match in their image, as the duo look to shape the outcome of Sunday afternoon's encounter at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Cholo's past at Sevilla is no secret, and he returns to the stadium that gave him his first big chance in European football as a player.

Carlos Bilardo was the one to recruit Simeone to the Andalusian club, instilling a results-first philosophy that has influenced and refined the Atleti boss' very own ideas.

"Simeone controlled the squad, asked a lot of questions, and I knew he'd become a coach," Bilardo said of his disciple. "As a midfielder, not only could he play the game, he could also see and interpret it."

Matias Kranevitter may be at Sevilla on loan from Atleti, but the connection between the two clubs goes far deeper, and it starts with the coaches in charge.

Diego Simeone only spent two years in Andalusia before being signed by Atletico Madrid, the club he now coaches, but he fondly remembers his time at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan ahead of taking his players there on Sunday.redit is due to Sevilla for their decision to pluck a young tough-tackling midfielder from a failing Serie B side and gave him all the tools to turn into one of Europe's fiercest and most-talented competitors.

"Whenever I think about my time in Sevilla, it's special," the Argentine told reporters having played for the club between 1992 and 1994. "I have great memories of the warmth they gave me and they have one of the most exciting, vibrant stadiums in Europe."

Here we run down his best moments playing for the other Rojiblancos.

Always in amongst the goalsWith 16 goals to his name in just two years, the midfielder can boast 12 LaLiga and four Copa del Rey strikes.

A worldie against AtletiYes it came in a friendly but this wonderful hit beat Atletico's keeper from inside his own half, earning a standing ovation from the Pizjuan.

Coming to blows with RomarioThe Brazilian had only been on the pitch for 15 minutes in Sevilla's clash with Barcelona back in January 1994 before landing a punch on Simeone. Red carded and banned for four games, a remorseless Romario claimed that the midfielder had insulted his mother.

Fighting for the badgeAfter leaving for Madrid, his return saw Atletico lead 2-0 in a vital end of season fixture in 1994/95, only for the Andalusians to grab two late goals and be on the verge of a point for European football. Simeone grabbed the ball at the equaliser and incited a fierce reaction from Quique Estebaranz and Marcos, the latter being sent off. That moment killed the game, ending with a point for both teams to earn Los Colchoneros safety from relegation, the hosts a European place, and Simeone a standing ovation from the Pizjuan faithful.