EXCLUSIVE: The former Blancos midfielder expects a close encounter at the Bernabeu on Wednesday as Real continue the defence of their Champions League title
Former Real Madrid midfielder Geremi believes that his former side’s Champions League quarter-final second leg match against city rivals Atletico is too close to call.
The first leg at the Vicente Calderon ended goalless and the two teams will go head-to-head again on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Geremi played for Madrid from 1999 until 2003, winning two Champions League titles, and he is not surprised that favourites Real have struggled in recent matches against Diego Simeone's men.
"You cannot predict who is going to win because it is a big derby between two city rivals," Geremi told Goal at Heineken’s #ChampionTheMatch event at the Heineken House, Lagos, which takes a look at football fans’ rituals on Champions League match day from a social point of view.
“Real and Atletico are two teams in one city and there is a big rivalry between them.
“Once they know that they are going to play against each other, there’s a lot of pressure coming from all around.
“Real fans tell their players, 'please just win for us so that we can walk with our heads up around the city’, so you need to beat them. It is the same thing for the Atletico fans - there’s a lot of pressure."
Geremi was full of praise for Atletico coach Simeone, who has worked wonders with the Rojiblancos since taking over in 2011 and won La Liga last season.
“If you see the way Atletico are performing now, Simeone has done a lot. He has given them spirit and I offer him a big thumbs up,” the retired midfielder concluded.
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