Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was pleased with his side's performance in their Champions League opening group stage game at Galatasaray on Tuesday, and said the La Liga outfit surprised their hosts in the 3-0 win.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice before half-time to put the reigning Turkish champs in an early hole -- one in which the Argentine manager believed they were never going to climb out.
"The team had a very good first half. We surprised then with Griezmann, Luciano Vietto and Jackson Martinez in attack and we stressed the containment of the midfield," the coach was quoted as saying in AS.
"The early minutes were very good. We scored so we could play with more calmness for the rest of the game.
"We played well against Sevilla, and it cost us more against Las Palmas. We didn't play well against Barcelona. The players play according to how the coach decides."
Meanwhile, Griezmann hailed the importance of Los Colchoneros earning a victory in their opening Champions League fixture.
"We know the importance of a first victory in the group stage. We played for it, and now we have to start thinking about the League," the French international said.
"The important thing is that someone scores, not who scores. But in the end I'm a bit angry about the chance given to me by Fernando Torres that I bundled.
"We've already forgotten about the defeat to Barcelona. We're happy with the level we've shown in our first Champions League match."