Brian Kerr believes Atletico Madrid have as good an opportunity as anybody to win this season's Champions League.
Speaking on Virgin Media Sport's coverage of the Champions League, the former Republic of Ireland manager described the Atletico team as a "tough nut to crack" and, despite changes in personnel, their style has remained constant over the years.
Discussing their last-16 victory, where they knocked out the holders Liverpool out at Anfield in March, Kerr described a style of football that is unforgiving.
"We saw their style against Liverpool. Deep defence, compact, tight and hard-working, grafting. They don't mind being under severe pressure and then they have a bit of quality on the breakaway; they've got good attackers"
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone's team have been in good form since the return of La Liga.
"After the break, they came back stronger. I think they were unbeaten in the final stage of the season"
Describing them as the most disciplined and most organized team remaining, Kerr believes that they are realistic contenders to win Europe's most elite competition.
Ahead of their quarter-final tie, Kerr has also been impressed by RB Leipzig's reaction to losing star striker, Timo Werner.
"I mean they destroyed Spurs over the two games, in the first game at Tottenham, they should have won three or four nothing. They only won one nothing but then the second game they won very, very easy.
Werner is gone, but I think they've continued on. They've had a steady enough time after they came back after the break. They did okay.
They held their position near the top not too far off Bayern Munich. so I think they've retained their form despite Werner's departure"
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