Atletico Madrid are no strangers to facing Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has 34 goal contributions in 35 games against Atletico, and was of course a cross-town rival for the club during his time at Real Madrid.
Atleti defender Stefan Savic knows all about facing the Portuguese superstar ahead of his latest meeting when Manchester United travel to Spain tomorrow night.
Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Savic hailed Ronaldo as one of the greats in football history and rates Atletico’s chances of getting past United.
When asked about Atletico’s chances of getting through, Savic said: “50/50. (United are) a great team, they have a lot of history in the Champions League and they have very good players, a very strong squad and we have our chances too. I see the tie very open.
“We are concerned. We know their virtues, they have very fast players on the wing and they have strikers who move well in the box. We are aware that they are going to play that way and we are ready.”
When asked if playing against Ronaldo provides extra motivation, he replied: “Not especially. It’s always good to play against great champions, but in Champions there are players at the highest level and that doesn’t change us.
“Of course there is respect, like towards all the great players in the world and he is one of the greats in history. But nothing more.”
Ronaldo pumped up for challenge
Ronaldo is excited for the challenge ahead and sent a message expressing his excitement of the competition’s return.
Ronaldo was the difference maker in the Champions League group stages, scoring in every single game he played and dragging United through.
Given his history with Atletico, it would not be a surprise to see him make a decisive contribution here.
Atletico are not at their best this season, recently losing to bottom placed La Liga side Levante, but they will still provide intense, organised opponents.
United have won their last two games but it is not long since they drew 1-1 with Burnley and Middlesbrough and Atletico will be by far superior to those sides.
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