Shanghai, Aug 4 (IANS): Atletico Madrid's Argentine coach Diego Simeone considers himself "fortunate" to be coaching the Spanish football club, given that coaches appear to be "better" when their players perform so well.

"The coaches who have teams like the one I manage are fortunate. All coaches are better when the players are good. I have a very strong group that goes after an idea. There is a communion between fans, directors and players," Simeone said in a press conference held in China on Tuesday, reports Efe.

Atletico play against local side Shanghai SIPG in a pre-season friendly match later on Tuesday.

Simeone's squad is scheduled to face the Chinese team that is commanded by Swedish manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who coached Simeone as a player for Lazio, when the Swede managed the Italian side between 1997 and 2001.

Simeone praised Eriksson and said that he wants to give him a big hug when they meet on Tuesday, adding that he was an important coach for many of his players.

Atleti is scheduled to conclude its Asian tour on Tuesday, and then return to Madrid for more friendlies before the new La Liga season.