Koke Fires Back At Guardiola Comments On Diego Simeone Tactics

Atletico Madrid star Koke has fired back at Pep Guardiola after his fellow countryman criticised Diego Simeone’s defensive tactics during their Champions League clash. According to Mirror UK.

Manchester City emerged 1-0 winners in the first leg thanks to Kevin de Bruyne’s strike midway through the second half.

Chances were few and far between at the Etihad, with Atletico sitting deep and even failing to register a shot on goal themselves.

READ ALSO: Hisbah Arrests 15, Seizes 1,426 Bottles Of Alcohol In Jigawa Hotel Raid

City boss Guardiola was clearly disappointed with the manner in which the game unfolded due to Atletico’s defensive approach.

The Spaniard even accused Simeone of playing without a striker in order to stunt the home side’s attacking play.

Explaining how he thought Simeone set up his side, Guardiola said: “He [Diego Simeone] has put [Antoine] Griezmann on the far right and Joao Felix on the far left, and they have gone 5-5-0.

Two lines of 5.

“And in prehistory, today and in a hundred thousand years, attacking a 5-5 is very difficult. It is that there is no space. Apart from the fact that they are very competitive and defend very well, there is no space.”