Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool at the Wanda is crucial for Diego Simeone’s side.
Not only have they got a lead they can defend at Anfield, but they also stopped Jurgen Klopp’s side from getting an away goal.
This hasn’t led to huge confidence in Spain that Atletico can progress to the next round of the Champions League, because they learned a lesson last season against Juventus.
Having won 2-0 at home, Simeone’s team then lost 3-0 in Turin, thanks to a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking to Marca, Koke has made it clear that the team’s plan must be to make sure similar doesn’t happen again, and therefore not to rest on their one goal advantage.
The Spanish newspaper quote him as saying: “They will pressure us a lot, I have seen few teams so direct and intense. We have to try to win. If we only think about defending, it can happen to us as against Juve. We have to learn, so it doesn’t happen again.
“They came out with an attitude and mentality so we couldn’t play the game we wanted. We have to go to win with another mentality.”
Asked whether he’s more scared of Anfield or Liverpool’s front three, Koke dismissed the idea: “I have never been to Anfield and we shouldn’t be afraid, just excited and eager to play against them in a stadium with so much history. In the end it is what’s cool about the Champions League.”
Atletico have lost two Champions League finals in recent years, and when asked if the trophy has become an obsession for the club, Koke insisted they look on things more from a positive perspective: “It’s more exciting than an obsession. I’ve been close. Why not dream? We’ll see what happens at Anfield. Raising her (the trophy) as captain would be spectacular. A memory for life.”
Klopp’s side will be determined to ruin Koke’s dream.
