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Simeone demands more goals from Atletico against Tottenham

  /  autty

Diego Simeone believes the "best thing" for Atletico Madrid "would be to score" more goals in their Champions League last-16 tie against Tottenham.

Atleti stormed to a 5-2 first-leg lead at the Metropolitano last week, with the LaLiga outfit capitalising on a number of errors from the Spurs defence and goalkeeper.

It was the first time Atleti had ever scored five goals in a Champions League knockout match, though Igor Tudor's Spurs kept their slim hopes of progression alive in the Spanish capital.

Having lost just one of their first six Champions League away games against English sides (W2 D3), Atleti have now lost five of their last six visits to England (W1).

However, all three of their away wins against Premier League teams in the competition have come in the knockout stages (Chelsea in 2013-14, Liverpool in 2019-20, Manchester United in 2021-22).

Simeone insisted his Atleti side must not rest on their laurels, urging them to continue to score at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We always prepare for the knockout rounds the same way, thinking about the 180 minutes, and then we'll see what happens," said Simeone.

"We have to play the game where it is. We have to win the game. The best thing would be to score to put the opponent in a more uncomfortable situation."

Atleti have scored 29 goals in their 11 Champions League games this season, their most in a single campaign in the competition and the most of any team this term.

They also scored seven goals across their play-off tie against Club Brugge, while scoring five against Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the campaign.

Atleti have been known as a defensive team under Simeone, who believes their scoring exploits this season do not change that.

"I wouldn't focus on the number of goals scored to determine whether a team is offensive or defensive," added Simeone.

"A team tries to be as well-rounded as possible, and that depends on their confidence."