Diego Simeone confident Atletico Madrid can knock out Bayer Leverkusen [divider]
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admitted he is confident that Atletico Madrid can still make it to the next stage of the Champions League despite losing the first-leg against Bayer Leverkusen 1-0.
“We had problems caused by the pressure applied by Leverkusen and we were not able to play our own game. But I am quite confident for the return match in Madrid,” Simeone told the official UEFA website.
Atleti star Arda Turan was the main talking point going into the game but Bayer’s Turkish international Hakan Çalhanoğlu stole the limelight.
The 21-year-old scored the only goal of the game to give Bayer the advantage going into the second-leg.
Turan also started the game but was unable to have the same influence on the game.
Bayer’s other Turkish international Ömer Toprak missed the first-leg due to suspension.
Simeone guided Atleti to the Champions League final last season. The Argentinian coach also led Atleti to the La Liga title last season.
The 47-year-old has won the Europa League, Europa League, European Super Cup and Copa del Rey.
