Matthaus recounts bruising Simeone rivalry ahead of Bayern’s Atletico de Madrid meeting

Lothar Matthaus has launched a fierce attack on Atletico de Madrid, describing the Spanish club as a “dirty and obnoxious” team while recalling his confrontations with their manager, Diego Simeone.

The former Germany international was speaking to NTV Sport before the anticipated meeting between Atletico de Madrid and Bayern Munich. He reflected on facing Simeone during his playing days at Inter Milan, when the Argentine midfielder was with Pisa in Italy.

Matthaus said Simeone relied heavily on force during matches and recalled feeling the need to wear extra protection because of the challenges he made.

“He just kept kicking,” Matthaus said.

The two players met only twice in Serie A. Their first encounter came in October 1990, when Inter Milan won 6-3 against Pisa. They met again in March 1991, with Inter recording a 1-0 victory at the Arena Garibaldi. Nicola Berti scored the only goal.

Matthaus said Simeone was assigned to mark him in one of those matches and insisted the midfielder was prepared to use similar physicality even against his own team-mates.

He also referred to an incident involving Simeone and Diego Maradona, who was Argentina’s captain at the time.

“He kicked Maradona, an Argentine!” Matthaus said. “He kicked his national-team captain. Can you imagine? He was very angry.”

The strongest criticism came when Matthaus was asked about former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller’s description of Atletico de Madrid as one of the most violent teams in European football.

“Violent? That is a nice word,” Matthaus replied. “If he had said tough guys, it would have been different… They are a dirty and obnoxious team.”

The comments were made in the build-up to the listed Youth Champions League meeting between Atletico de Madrid and Bayern Munich on 03 November 2026.