Simeone is ‘delighted‘ with Kranevitter capture

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has expressed his delight at the capture of River Plate midfielder Matias Kranevitter.

The 22-year-old completed his switch to La Liga this week, though he won’t join up with his new club until after River play in the Club World Cup in December.

“We are very happy with his arrival at the club,” Simeone said.

“For now we wish him well in his final stage with River and then we will receive him here with the belief that he will perform to the level we think he will in the future.”

Atletico face Sevilla on Sunday and Simeone drew comparisons between the two sides in terms of their football philosophy.

The former Sevilla midfielder said: "I have great memories [of playing for Sevilla]. My introduction to Spanish football was in Sevilla. I was treated very well and had some very good years here as a player.

"As a rivalry this is an important game against a very strong team which is matched to us.

"They are a mirror to us in certain situations with a very competitive coach in [Unai] Emery, who has managed to reinvent the team."

Just two points separated the two sides last season, with Atletico finishing third and Sevilla fourth.