Atletico de Madrid vs Leicester City - Diego Simeone wary of Jamie Vardy threat

Posted Wednesday, April 12, 2017 by PA

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has put his players on alert to combat in-form Jamie Vardy when they host Leicester in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Vicente Calderon.

Vardy has scored seven goals in his last 10 games after previously struggling to net this season.

But Simeone praised the England striker and believes the hosts must keep it tight to avoid Vardy scoring an important away goal.

He said: "I like him, I really rate him as a striker. He is the kind of powerful striker Atletico have had. He also gives the team a lot of depth, and makes life really difficult for defenders to get the ball out.

"He is very dangerous and if we make any mistakes, he will penalise that. Last season he was very consistent, very good.

"This season as we all know he was struggling a little bit at the start but now he seems to be back on form."

Vardy scored a crucial away goal in Leicester's 2-1 defeat in Sevilla before the Foxes won the second leg 2-0 to progress in their last-16 tie 3-2 on aggregate.

"Both teams rely on hard work and intensity, consistency and concern. We know they will be two challenging games," Simeone added.

"We're probably in our best moment of the season. After the group stage of the Champions League we have always found our best football. Every game is decisive and we are in very good spirits."

Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare compared the teams' work ethic and Simeone accepted Atletico's style could be a role model for clubs.

Simeone said: "Nobody has proof in terms of how to play and win. There are different styles. Our style has been based on humility, hard work and being competitive in every competition.

"There are many different ways of playing - maybe some teams have looked at the way we do things - but what we have done is adapt our style to the characteristics of our players."

Leicester face Atletico as the only English club left in the competition having seen off Sevilla, with Claudio Ranieri dismissed just 24 hours after their 2-1 first-leg defeat.

But, despite being underdogs against the LaLiga side, Shakespeare insisted the Foxes are not about to roll over.

"In terms of life experiences you use them as you go along, you have new ones and this is one for us in the Champions League this season," he said.

"We have enjoyed it but make no mistake we're there to compete and not to make the numbers up. These players deserve this opportunity and we aim to keep that going."

Yet Shakespeare will warn the side against collecting bookings with Robert Huth, Wilfred Ndidi, Islam Slimani and Vardy all a caution away from missing next week's second leg.

He said: "We are a very well disciplined as a team, but yes, the players will be reminded about their responsibilities and not to get any stupid cards for things like encroaching.

"It is something we will talk about with the players."

Captain Wes Morgan is definitely out with a back problem which has sidelined him for the last four games.

"No chance, he's here and travelled with the team but he'll take no part in the game," added Shakespeare.