Diego Simeone hails home support as Atletico Madrid earn first-leg victory against Liverpool

Diego Simeone claimed the atmosphere in the Wanda Metropolitano was the best he had experienced as Atletico Madrid boss during their Champions League last-16 first-leg victory over Liverpool.

It took just four minutes for Saul Niguez to put the Spanish side ahead and the Premier League leaders were unable to make a telling breakthrough, meaning they must now overturn the deficit at Anfield.

However Simeone, who cut an energetic figure on the touchline throughout the match, also warned that his side must see out the remainder of the tie in equally impressive fashion.

‘We started to win the game when we got to the roundabout on the way to the stadium,’ Simeone said in his post-match press conference.

‘The reception was impressive. In the eight years I’ve been at the club, I haven’t seen a reception like it.

‘The reception was impressive. It was the game we were expecting, with a very strong opponent, with different styles on the pitch, with very physically strong players, but we responded very well at the start and then we played the game that we had to play to keep the result,’ Simeone said.

Midfielder Saul Niguez was on hand to slot home the decisive goal after just four minutes

‘We had chances on the counter attack to score more.

‘We’re a team that plays as a group. If the attackers hadn’t participated in the defensive work, the team wouldn’t have done what it did.

‘It was a good job by everyone. It was a tough, difficult game against a great opponent, but it was clear what the objective was.

‘The tie is what it was at the start, against an opponent who are used to great matches at their home,’ he said.