Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said tactical switch from Diego Simeone was responsible for beating Milan.
Los Colchoneros won 1-0 at San Siro on Wednesday night to claim victory in the away leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, a late Diego Costa header proving the difference.
Courtois made two excellent saves in the first half to keep the game goalless but said it was the Coach who changed the game.
“We struggled a little in the first half. We started well but then they were dangerous and the Coach changed our tactics,” Courtois told reporters after the final whistle.
“Then I managed to save the header and in the second half they were less dangerous.
“We were better and managed to score.”
Courtois explained exactly what Simeone changed to stem the Milan tide and tilt the balance in Atletico’s favour.
“We started off playing two strikers but changed and put five men in midfield and one up front.
“It was better like that. [Nigel] de Jong had built many attacks in the first half but we did a good job and won, which is what counts.”
Courtois rejected the suggestion that with the away goal, Atleti are as good as through to the quarter-finals.
“I don’t think we are, because they can score a goal that sends us out, like we have done today.
“It will be a very tough 90 minutes but in the Calderon, with our fans behind us, we can win.”
Mario Balotelli led the line for Milan but showed only brief flashes, mostly in setting up his teammates. Courtois was pleased the Atletico defence kept the forward relatively quiet.
“He is a great player,” Courtois said.
“We knew what we needed to do to stop him and we did it well.”
