Diego Simeone fully trusts that his players from Atletico Madrid can destroy their one-purpose shortage against Real Madrid in their Champions League last 16 second stage.
The stunning strike by Julian Alvarez has canceled the opener of Rodrygo, only for another time of individual quality of Brahim Diaz to seal a lead on first legs for Los Blancos.
And that defeat seemed to be hanging on the return of Atletico to Laliga promotion, where Simeone's side fell on a shock 2-1 defeat to get Getafe on Sunday to dent their title loop.
But Atletico has previously shown their recovery powers in this phase of competition, coming back from a shortage of one goal against Inter to continue to the quarterfinals last year.
Indeed, they have lost the first stage in six previous Champions League tires and have returned to claim the progress of three, and Simeone has faith in a different turnaround.
“I believe in my players, I trust this team,” De Argentin told reporters on Tuesday.
“I absolutely understand the heart that they have and I have no doubt that we want to stay in the Champions League. Our goal is to play in the final.
“Football has several scenarios that take place during the game. We will go through difficult moments.
“The coolness, clarity and quality of the football players will decide. The game is going that way.”
Opta's data-conducted simulations Handletico A 28% chance of achieving the last eight, with only six parties in the competition got a lower likelihood.
In all competitions, Atletico has only lost one of their last seven home games against Madrid (W3 D3).
In home games against them in Cup matches, Atletico are now unbeaten in the last five and she won four (D1).
Simeone, however, acknowledged that his team had to keep calm with a passionate home crowd that the team existed in the Metropolitano on Wednesday.
“Our people will push us, but the reality is what is happening on the field. We are not going to win just because of what is happening in the stands,” said Simeone.
“We have to play a great game,” said Simeone. “I would ask the young players if they had ever introduced themselves to play in these matches, and they would certainly say no.
“It's the best thing, the youth who are starting to gain experience in these competitions.”
Simeone said his real counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, had similar ideas about the game, but the Italian was a better coach.
“The characteristics of the opposition, which players have as vertical as Vinicius Junior and (Kylian) Mbappe, must have that vertical game … We are a collective team that can alternate a high game, lower game, with possession, without possession.
“I spent a lot of time in Italy. The experiences in Italian football can be comparable … but it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti is much better than me.”
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