Simeone outsmarts shell-shocked Juve

Madrid: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is renowned for his wild touchline antics but a shrewd tactical move with a triple substitution swung on Wednesday’s Champions League game against Juventus firmly his side’s way.

With the last-16 first leg delicately poised and goalless as the hour mark approached, the Argentine introduced forwards Angel Correa, Alvaro Morata and Thomas Lemar, and the Spanish side went on to win 2-0.

Morata had a goal ruled out to the fury of the home supporters for a push on Giorgio Chiellini but a breakthrough finally came when defender Jose Gimenez scored after a knock-down by Morata from a corner whipped in by Lemar.

Diego Godin doubled Atletico’s lead following a well-worked free kick, giving Simeone’s side a huge advantage over the runaway Serie A leaders ahead of the return leg in Turin next month.

“They all knew about the substitution, I called Correa, Lemar and Morata together, and Koke and (Diego) Costa knew they were not able to play 90 minutes,” Simeone said. “They all played brilliantly after coming on and played as a team. Doing what we have done over these years is not easy, and today we did it again. I feel so great because of these players. They represent the true meaning of Atletico. This is what we are and we aren’t going to change. It’s our style.”

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri criticised his side for switching off in the closing stages and for not showing patience.

“Atleti came out much more aggressively with set-pieces and caught us by surprise. We knew it would be tough, that Atletico force you to play badly, to play slowly, they have been playing this way for eight years,” he said.