LONDON, March 18 - Diego Simeone led Atletico Madrid into the Champions League quarterfinals for the eighth time in 13 seasons, despite a 3-2 loss at Tottenham Hotspur. The Spanish side advanced 7-5 on aggregate.
"Sometimes you don't need to say anything-the numbers speak for themselves," Simeone said.
Atletico squandered a three-goal first-leg lead but held firm through goals by Julian Alvarez and David Hancko. A late penalty sealed their survival.
"The effort was enormous," Simeone added. "The draw was what we deserved."
Their reward: a quarterfinal meeting with LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who scored seven goals in a single leg against Newcastle United.
Atletico recently eliminated Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals, offering psychological leverage despite Barca’s status as Europe’s top attack.
"It will be difficult," Simeone acknowledged, "but we’ll have the enthusiasm to compete."
The team faces Real Madrid in LaLiga this weekend, then battles Barcelona three times in four matches after the international break.