Hitzfeld: Atlético wouldn't be top-four team without Simeone
The former Bayern Munich boss has offered a stark assessment of Diego Simeone's influence on the Germans' Champions League opponents. <ul> <li> <a href="http://en.as.com/en/2017/05/09/football/1494312371_858514.html" title="Juventus - Monaco live online: Champions League 2017 semi-final">Juventus - Monaco: Champions League semi-final</a> </li> </ul>
Ex-Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has declared that Atlético Madrid wouldn't be a Champions League side were it not for boss Diego Simeone.
Bayern visit Atlético in the group stages of Europe's top club competition tonight (20:45 CEST), having lost out to Los Rojiblancos in last season's semi-finals.
Simeone the difference at Atlético
Hitzfeld, who led Bayern to Champions League glory in 2001, told Sport1: "Simeone is the leader and Atletico have done exceptionally under him."
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And he added: "Without Simeone, Atlético wouldn't be in the top four in LaLiga."
Bayern face "very tough" assignment
Looking ahead to the sides' clash in Madrid, the 67-year-old said: "Bayern have a very tough match against Atlético. They were beaten by them last year, so they have a score to settle."