Henry: Atletico Madrid can win the Champions League

Posted Thursday, November 29, 2018 by Marca.com

Atletico Madrid beat Monaco 2-0 in the early kick-off on Tuesday evening to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League and visiting coach Thierry Henry stated in his post-match press conference that Los Rojiblancos could win the competition.

Koke's deflected effort gave Diego Simeone's side the lead after two minutes before Antoine Griezmann doubled their advantage 22 minutes later and it finished 2-0.

"Atletico can win the Champions League, why not?" pondered Henry afterwards.

"They've been runners-up before and then lost another [final].

"With the team and coach that I saw today, they can do it.

"The final is at their home, but what you will tell me about is Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"There are many teams who can win the Champions League and Atletico can do it."

The Frenchman was full of praise for Simeone and claimed that the Argentine is an inspiration in coaching.

"I have much to learn," Henry said.

"Simeone's side did what they always do.

"The team was winning 2-0 and he never calmed down.

"He was screaming for them to track back.

"That's why we saw Griezmann work back on the right, in the middle...

"The intensity that he gives the team, who he played for as a player, is incredible.

"He is a very passionate man about football, it seems like he is still a player.

"For me, Simeone is an inspiration for all coaches."

Falcao was honoured by Atletico before the match and missed Monaco's penalty after coming on as a substitute, yet Henry felt sympathy for the Colombian.

"It is never easy to go back where you have played," he continued.

"[It is a place] that will stay in your heart until death.

"Falcao was on the bench because he was returning from an injury.

"He played against Caen and the match on Saturday [against Montpellier] is very important."

Monaco are second bottom in Ligue 1 and need to climb out of the relegation zone quickly.