Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has lavished praise on winger Arda Turan and has said that the Turk's presence in his side can make a difference in tonight’s Champions League clash.
Simeone’s men qualified as their Champions League group winners ahead of Italian giants Juventus and the Spaniards have been drawn to play German Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, the first leg of their tie is due to be played tonight at the BayArena.
Turan joined the reigning La Liga champions in the summer of 2011 from the Turkish side Galatasaray, and has since then gone on to become a constant presence in Los Rojiblancos' midfield.
There have been question marks about Turan’s fitness after he suffered a bruised thigh which saw him miss team practice on Sunday and Monday, but he trained normally on Tuesday and is expected to start tonight.
The Argentine believes that the presence of the Turk in Atletico Madrid’s ranks makes a huge difference to their team’s playing style.
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“Arda’s characteristics are different to those of his team-mates”, Simeone was quoted as saying at a pre-match press conference by Spanish daily AS.
The manager went on to add that in the 28-year-old’s absence, he needs to alter his team’s tactics as there is no other player in Atletico Madrid who has the same attributes as the Turk.
“If Arda plays then of course, it changes everything. There is one idea when he plays and another when he doesn’t.”
On being asked about a possible trip to the Champions League final in Berlin, Simeone said that much like his playing career, he only focuses on the game ahead.
“I think the same way as I have throughout my career in football. I’m not thinking about any other game, only the next one, against Leverkusen.
“What matters is this match. Everything that might come later will only be a consequence of that.”
Atletico Madrid will look to seal an away win to take a strong foothold in the tie ahead of the return leg at the Vicente Calderon scheduled to be played in March.
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