Atletico Madrid were close to their very best in the 1-0 Champions
League win over Bayern Munich, according to coach Diego Simeone.
Diego Simeone felt he watched
"close to the best version" of his Atletico Madrid side after they
claimed a 1-0 advantage against Bayern Munich in the Champions League
semi-final first leg.
Atletico tore into their
Bundesliga opponents from kick-off amid a cacophony of noise at the
Vicente Calderon that ramped up a few more notches when Saul Niguez
netted a sensational 11th-minute solo goal.
Simeone's
men were at ease showing their famously dogged defensive qualities
after the break, although Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres sprung
forward on the break for the latter to hit the post 15 minutes from
time.
Atletico reached the 2013-14 final, losing to rivals Real Madrid in the season they won La Liga.
A
repeat could be on the cards as they lie level on points with leaders
Barcelona in Spain's top flight, while Real are deadlocked at 0-0 with
Manchester City after the opening leg of the other Champions League
semi-final at the Etihad Stadium.
"That was possibly close to the best version of the team," Simeone said.
"It was similar to the [quarter-final] match with Barcelona. We imposed the ways we want to play the game.
"The opponent has very great variations. Undoubtedly, the first half was much closer to what we feel comfortable with.
"And in the second half they were closer to what they feel most comfortable with."
Simeone
conceded he was staggered by the quality of Saul's goal as little
appeared on for the midfielder when he eased clear of Thiago Alcantara
in midfield.
The Spain Under-21 international
proceeded to jink past Juan Bernat and Xabi Alonso before cutting inside
David Alaba to score via the inside of the post.
"Saul looked great coming out of his first dribble. That makes you have the power to continue," Simeone said.
"He
has a lot of play in the one against one situations. When he left the
first dribble, I did not imagine much more. I am very happy."
Simeone
was handed a three-match domestic touchline ban earlier on Wednesday
following an incident when a ball was thrown on to the field from his
technical area during Saturday's 1-0 win over Malaga, interrupting a
counter-attack for Atletico's opponents.
But he
will be back on the touchline for next Tuesday's trip to the Allianz
Arena, where he believes a place in the final remains very much up for
grabs.
He told BT Sport: "It’s an open tie. Playing in Munich means they will have their fans behind them and home advantage.
"But
we have the chance to get an away goal. It will be a close game like
today but we will see who makes the most of their chances."
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