Atletico Madrid coach Simeone reflects on Benfica defeat: No excuses

Later, he admitted: "We struggled to control the game, their aggressiveness capitalized on all our errors, and we must give credit to them. Despite our strong performance in pre-season, today's game was one we hoped would not occur. The signs were evident in the first half, and unfortunately, we let the game slip away from us in the second half."

"Let's not look for excuses. We didn't play a good game and the coach is responsible. The substitutions didn't make any difference today either. It was a bad game for everyone. Let's get our energy back for Sunday.

"We played badly, we have to accept that. The changes did not give us what we had on other days, and we have to accept that, we were worse, and congratulations.

"There was no lack of attitude or tension, we just played badly and that gives you opportunities to lose. They were forceful and our game was bad."