Diego Simeone felt his Atletico Madrid side produced a “clinical” second-half display as they claimed a 2-0 away success over Lokomotiv Moscow On Tuesday. Atletico went into their Champions League Group D clash chasing their first European victory of the season following a 2-2 home draw with Juventus on Matchday One, but it threatened to be a night of frustration as their Russian opponents kept them at bay during the first half.
However, Simeone’s side improved after the break and goals from Joao Felix, his first-ever strike in Europe’s premier club competition, and Thomas Partey earned them an impressive away victory.
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Los Rojiblancos had only won one of their previous five games heading into the fixture, scoring just four goals in the process, but Simeone felt there was a clinical nature to their second-half performance at the RZD Arena. “Tonight’s match was tough,” Simeone told reporters. “Lokomotiv Moscow defend very well. We had good chances in the first half that the keeper did well to save. We were clinical in the second half and managed to score twice early on.”
Portuguese teenager Felix, who has now scored three times across all competitions since arriving at the Wanda Metropolitano from Benfica during the summer, echoed his manager’s sentiments, but he was also keen not to dwell on either his or the team’s success. “We played very well and earned the three points, which is the most important thing. We will do everything possible to win the upcoming games as well,” Felix said.
Atleti are back in La Liga action on Sunday when they travel to the Estadio Jose Zorrilla to take on Real Valladolid.
