Champions League: Leicester an inspiration for giant-killing Atletico
Madrid: Leicester City’s remarkable run to the verge of the Premier League title has inspired Atletico Madrid in their aim to land a historic Champions League and La Liga double, claims defender Filipe Luis.
Atletico face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday looking to cause another big upset after dumping defending champions Barcelona out in the quarter-finals.
The budget used to put together Diego Simeone’s side pales into comparison next to the riches of the other three semi-finalists as the world’s richest club Real Madrid face the Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City in the other semi-final.
However, former Chelsea defender Luis believes Leicester’s meteoric rise to the top of the Premier League is an inspiration to clubs the world over that money can’t always buy success at the top level.
“It is happening this year in the Premier League with Leicester. They are a modest team that are almost champions of the Premier League,” said the Brazilian international.
“In football these epic things happen because, although there is a difference in budget, we are the team that plays most as a team. We don’t have a superstar, we have a team where everyone runs and fights for the person next to them and that makes us stronger.”
The pain of missing out in the final minute of the final against bitter rivals Real two years ago is still fresh in Atletico minds as they target a first ever Champions League triumph. However, they are also seeking revenge against Bayern as they conceded an equaliser in the final minute of extra-time against the German giants in their only other final 42 years ago before Munich went on to dominate the replay 4-0.
Atletico’s brilliant defensive organisation proved too good for Barca’s star front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the last round. However, the Spaniards are likely to be without lynchpin Diego Godin for the first leg due to a hamstring injury. And Luis believes Bayern’s deadly duo of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller offer a different threat.
