Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has called Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo “an animal in front of goal” ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League opener between the sides.

Simeone prepares his side for a shot at revenge for last season’s elimination at the last 16 stage by the Serie A giants. But the Argentine admits it is hard to plan to play against someone like Portugal powerhouse Ronaldo.

“It is hard to prepare something against such a player. He’s an animal in front of the goal,” said Simeone.

“He has an incredible record and in any situation near the box, he’s dangerous. He needs to be watched. He’s not easy to control, he has it all, what can we say about everything he has?

“We have suffered from him before, sometimes we won, sometimes we lost, but he’s an animal in front of the goal.”