Ateam with a very defined way of playing awaits Atletico Madrid in Russia in the form of Rostov in Wednesday's Champions League group D clash, and coach Diego Simeone praised both his opponents and the development of Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann as crucial to his side's chances so far from home.
Simeone's ability to transform good, promising players into world-class and elite stars is precisely why Atleti have become such a powerful force in the Champions League and enter the match as clear favourites, despite the difficulty in playing at an away ground that requires more travel than usual.
"Carrasco and Griezmann arrived as boys and have grown into men at Atletico," Simeone said. "When players arrive at the club, they become a part of the group and this involvement makes them feel more important."
As to Wednesday's opponents, Simeone has admitted he isn't exactly up to date on Russian football, but did have the chance to analyse Rostov's most recent Champions League group match against PSV Eindhoven.
"Rostov are a dangerous opponent because they know exactly what their plan is," the coach pointed out. "They are quick to the second ball which is very difficult to deal with, and when they lose possesion, they are quick to get back into shape and become very compact and difficult to break down.
"The three centre-backs are very comfortable defensively and the team knows what it sets out to achieve."
Cholo also gave a hint as to who would start up front and on his recent decision to play Angel Correa on the wing against Granada at the weekend.
"Fernando Torres will start tomorrow," Cholo shared with reporters in his pre-match comments, just as he had done the last time the striker started in Champions League. "We know that in Argentina Correa played as a No. 10 (enganche) but here he must adapt to different positions and scenarios.
"Correa is an excellent player with an enormous future, and he'll play wherever he has the confidence and freedom to express himself."
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