Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has said he believes Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone would be seen as dull if he managed in the Premier League.
Simeone's side produced a superb defensive display in the home leg of their Champions League semifinal tie with Bayern Munich to take a 1-0 lead.
Sunderland have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, and Allardyce -- whose side travel to Stoke on Saturday -- believes an extension of that record over the four remaining fixtures will secure their top flight status.
He said: "Seeing Atletico Madrid last night, how they played and how they then defended what they had against a side that is one of the favourites to win the Champions League and is well ahead in the German league...
"It's an art, defending. Everybody has forgotten that. It's a tactical art to be able to sense danger and block crosses and get your toe in without fouling. They are very, very good at it indeed.
"That's how good the manager is, and that's why they are successful. They are successful because they concede fewer goals than everybody else and only need one to win.
"Now, everybody can say: 'Well, that's not entertaining,' but everybody is eulogising Simeone's tactics now. I wouldn't think they would do that in the Premier League so much. 'He's boring, this guy, he defends too much' -- that's what he'd get here."
Sunderland moved out of the relegation zone last weekend with a 0-0 home draw against Arsenal, and they have now lost only once in seven outings.
But Allaryce stressed: "First and foremost, the thing is to make sure this group of players can make sure we are Premier League outfit next year.
"We can't afford to slip up, and if we don't slip up then we stay up. If we do slip up, we could easily be relegated."