Diego Simeone Pin Points What Guardiola Did to Outsmart Him During Champions League Tie at Etihad

• Diego Simeone admitted he was outclassed by Pep Guardiola during the Champions League quarter final clash on Tuesday
• The Colchoneros had put up a defensive masterclass until the introduction of Phil Foden by Pep Guardiola
• According to the Atletico Madrid boss, the substitutions Guardiola made proved to be the difference

Diego Simeone hailed Manchester City as the best team in the world as he identified exactly what Pep Guardiola got right in the Champions League quarter final on Tuesday, April 5.

Playmaker Kevin de Bruyne’s second half goal was enough to give the home side a slender lead in the tie as Atletico Madrid were made to pay for their restricting approach to the game.

It was substitute Phil Foden who came up with the moment of magic as he unlocked the Atletico Madrid defence with a sublime pass through the legs of Reinildo and De Bruyne did the rest.

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Despite having most of the possession, City struggled to break down their Spanish counterparts until the introduction of Phil Foden, who is proving to be a gem for Guardiola.

In his post-match comments, Simeone conceded that Guardiola outsmarted him as he pointed out the substitutions as the key reason the Citizens eventually found a break through.

Aside from Foden, Guardiola also introduced Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus, something Simeone said disoriented his own tactics.

"A good performance against an extraordinary team that manages to unite lots of world-class footballers into a superb unit. We wanted to defend well, squeeze spaces and hit them on the counterattack,” Simeone said.

"Just when we looked like creating our best opportunities, they scored. That was a very difficult match. They take off three excellent players and replace them with three equally- excellent guys.”

"I must admit we thought Foden would start. I'd also confess that it's enjoyable to see how City play. The patience they have. But we were both seeking the same thing, winning."

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Atletico fail to register a single shot on target

Meanwhile, Sports Brief reported of Atletico Madrid’s damning stat- 0 shots on target - during the game against Manchester City.

This is the first time such a stat has been recorded in a Champions League game in 10 years, with the last side registering that stat being APOEL against Real Madrid.

Ahead of the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, Simeone seemed to suggest that his side would try to be more adventurous in their approach to the game.

"We'll change how we play a little in the second half of this tie but it's all the same to them,” he added.