Nenad Bjelica has reflected that his Austria Vienna outfit’s chances of beating Atletico Madrid are slim this week, but that they still hold hope.
The Austrians welcome Los Colchoneros to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna this Tuesday evening for matchday three of the Champions League group stage very much the underdogs for a result.
Even so, their Coach has promised maximum effort and belief from the team.
“We are very happy to be able to try and deal with a great in Spanish football,” Bjelica has mused in today’s edition of AS.
“We know it will be very, very difficult to win, but we want to take advantage of the few chances that we will have.
“They are almost unbeatable, as we are seeing in both the League and Champions League. We will have to work to our maximum and be very lucky. They are an awesome team and have a great Coach.
“It will be very difficult to pick up points this week, but we believe in our chances. Although we have a 10 per cent chance, the possibility of winning is there. We have to work and believe in victory.
“Our aim in the competition? To try to do well against everyone and to pick up as many points as we can. We enjoy playing well.
“The goal was the Europa League and the truth is that we are in the Champions League. There is no pressure. We are enjoying this.
“Are Atletico a possible finalist? I would imagine so because they have a great team and currently the best Coach in the world.”
Bjelica was reminded that his past as a player in La Liga saw him previously cross swords, with success, against Tuesday’s counterpart Simeone.
“We have met each other before but I do not know the statistics. I’ll take the win in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals during 1994-95. He was playing for Atletico.
“We [Albacete] drew 1-1 at the Calderon and won 1-0 in the return leg at the Carlos Belmonte. Simeone was a very tough opponent and very competitive.”
