2 weeks Ago
The new Champions League format forces teams to go for the win, Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone said after his side fought back from a deficit to grab a late 2-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Thursday. The European top-flight has switched from a group stage to a league phase where 36 teams play eight matches each, with the top eight in the table progressing directly to the next round, while the next 16 teams enter a two-legged playoff. "This format forces us to win.
Today a draw is of little use...
if we can't (win), we will have to get something out of it," Simeone told Movistar after the 2-1 home win in their campaign opener. "I'm totally satisfied, the match was very good. I'd have said the same with a draw.
We played the game in different ways and with different players. "The players interpreted it well and we won a necessary game..
. what we imagined happened. We controlled 80% of the game.
" Atletico, who are unbeaten this season in all competitions, will travel to Portugal's Benfica for their next Champions League match on Oct. 2. "It'll be another battle," Simeone said.
.
