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Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Atletico Madrid’s “mentality” makes the LaLiga side difficult opponents in the clubs’ opening match of the 2025/26 Champions League.
Atleti have reached at least the quarter-finals on seven occasions since Diego Simeone took charge in 2011, as well as winning the Spanish title in 2013/14 and 2020/21 .
“Last time I faced them, [Antoine] Griezmann was outstanding,” said Slot, referencing the two defeats his Feyenoord team suffered during the 2023/24 group stage.
“But now I have players who can do things like him. At Feyenoord at that time, the players I had – although I love them – weren’t at the stage of their careers where they could do that.”
New signing Nico Gonzalez reckons Liverpool are “not intimidating” for an Atleti squad who earned their first win of the season at the fourth attempt on Saturday, beating fellow Champions League participants Villarreal 2-0 at home.
“We know the kind of players Liverpool have,” said the forward (via AS), who has joined from Juventus on a season-long loan for an initial fee of almost £900,000 with an obligation to buy for around £27.7 million.
“We know they play in the best league in the world, if you will, [in] the Premier League, but… ultimately, it’s 11 against 11.
