Mario Suarez has paid tribute to the Atletico Madrid supporters as the Spanish champions progressed in the Champions League.
Atleti needed penalties to dispatch Bayer Leverkusen, the tie between last year’s runners-up and the Bundesliga’s fourth-placed team ending 1-1 after two legs.
Mario was on target in the return bout at Vicente Calderon and, speaking to reporters after the match, credited the vocal home support – as well as Jan Oblak, the goalkeeper who had to replace the injured Miguel Angel Moya early in the first half.
“The Champions League is the best competition and we know it will be hard from now on,” the midfielder said, AS reports.
“We’ve been good in this match, the fans have helped us and Oblak was very good in the penalties.
“What distinguishes us is that we’re a team, in capital letters, and even with absences we show our face.
“Next round? We’ll see who are opponents are, they’ll be among the best, but no one will want to face us.”
