Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone admits he ‘would like to learn’ from Real chief Carlo Ancelotti
- Seb Sternik
- 26 January 2023
Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti will square off for the second time this season as Atletico and Real Madrid clash in the Copa del Rey quarter-final.
Real have already suffered one cup heartbreak this month after losing to Barcelona in the Super Cup final.
Since returning from Saudi Arabia, Los Blancos have won back-to-back games, including a 3-2 thriller with Villarreal.
Atletico have also returned to winning ways. Successive victories over Levante and Valladolid have seen Simeone's side score five goals and keep two clean sheets.
Ahead of Thursday's derby, Atleti boss Simeone was asked about his relationship with counterpart Ancelotti.
The Argentine said (as quoted by Football Espana): "The headlines of 'extraordinary' seem excessive to me.
"The only thing I can say about the relationship with Carlo, is that it is a relationship between coaches, because I haven't had the chance to get together with him, although I would like to learn. It's a good relationship, he seems like a very good person to me."
Looking ahead to the derby itself, Simeone added: "I have been saying that the team looks better since we returned from the World Cup, with many more opportunities to create danger, and working very well as a group.
"[They are] Committed, enthusiastic, ready to play an important game, a tie with a very strong opponent, in a very good game, a coach that I greatly admire."
