Persistence was the key for Atletico Madrid beating Malmo, according to Coach Diego Simeone.
The game was goalless at half-time but Atletico scored five goals in the second half, with Antoine Griezmann celebrating his by embracing Cholo on the touchline.
Simeone revealed how he saw the contest and why Griezmann ran to him to mark his contribution.
“We continued to push. In the first half it was obvious we were close to a goal,” he said, AS reports.
“We had some good chances. In the second half we improved our precision over the final metres.
“Griezmann was anxious in front of goal. What I liked was his work, his involvement and him getting between the lines.
“He had a very good game, as did Mario Mandzukic. His celebration was spontaneous.
“We talked at half time and I told him he was having a fantastic game and it would end in a goal.”
Alessio Cerci scored his first Atletico goal, the game’s fifth, and Simeone explained his thinking regarding Cerci’s position and the state of the group after Olympiacos beat Juventus.
“Cerci is a striker but we can use him as the point of the attack. He finds space and creates danger there. He will be very important,” Simeone said of the Italy international.
“Juventus couldn’t break down Malmo and they beat Olympiacos. We played well. We were consistent with our intensity.
“It’s a complex group. You have to play every game like it is your last. There’s nothing for sure.
“We have to have a lot of focus and be careful. Nothing can change for the next game and we have to play it like we did Malmo, like a final.”
