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What Diego Simeone Did During Training Before Arsenal Game Is Genius

What Diego Simeone Did During Training Before Arsenal Game Is Genius

Thomas Partey has revealed Simeone's shrewd plan during training before the Arsenal game.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Diego Simeone continues to enhance his budding reputation as an elite manager, with his own player Thomas Partey revealing one of his genius plans during training before Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid.

His side drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Europa League semi-final first-leg. Antoine Griezmann bagged a vital away goal for the visitors after Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring.

The other main talking point from the game was the Spanish outfit being reduced to 10 men following the sending off of defender Sime Vrsaljko inside 10 minutes.

The referee shows a red card to Vrsaljko. Image: PA
The referee shows a red card to Vrsaljko. Image: PA

Despite playing the majority of the game with one less player, Atleti managed to stay in the tie ahead of Thursday's return leg.

And Partey has revealed how Simeone trained with playing 10 vs. 11 a day before the first leg.

While some managers in world football apply this same tactic, it's still a stroke of genius from the Argentine coach.

"The thing about Simeone a lot of people don't know is that his instincts are always right," Partey told Independent.

Partey in action for Atleti against Arsenal. Image: PA
Partey in action for Atleti against Arsenal. Image: PA

Partey added: "We trained playing 10 vs 11 the day before the game and he kept telling us that we might end up a man down and it came earlier than expected.

"I feel so privileged being trained by such a coach for some time now the media always talks about how well players are paid and how we live a luxurious life but for those who know me I keep saying that every player will improve like me if they train under him.

"I don't know what other clubs do but every training session is a battle here because the team keeps changing based on how hard you train and perform in games."

Griezmann celebrates scoring for Atleti. Image: PA
Griezmann celebrates scoring for Atleti. Image: PA

Atletico have a formidable home record ahead of the visit of the Premier League outfit.

Will there be an English representative in Lyon, France, for the final? Watch this space.

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Topics: Football News, Football, Europa League, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Diego Simeone