Atletico Madrid match-winner Juanfran Torres said his side had shown "hunger and heart" after the right-back netted the winning penalty for his side to progress 8-7 in the shootout past PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday's tense Champions League last-16 second leg.
Spain international Juanfran kept his nerve to score the winning penalty after PSV's Luciano Narsingh was the only player on either side to miss from the spot in front of a nervous Estadio Vicente Calderon crowd.
Diego Simeone's side had dominated possession over the 120 minutes but a very well organised PSV side gave up few clear chances -- and just like 12 months ago against Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico were taken to a shootout in front of their own supporters.
Speaking on Spanish TV after the game, Juanfran said both Simeone and the Calderon crowd had given him and his teammates the belief to again progress.
"It was a real heart-stopper, just like last year," Juanfran said. "I'm very happy to see how the crowd got behind the side. We believe, our coach makes us believe and we have a lot of hunger and heart. We believe in all that we do."
Asked who he would prefer to face in the last eight, with Atletico having gone out of the competition to Real Madrid in each of the last two seasons, Juanfran said he would prefer to avoid La Liga opposition in Friday's draw.
"I don't want to draw a Spanish side in the competition," the former Madrid youth teamer said. "Whoever we get will be very strong and it will be a tough tie just like this one."
Atletico fan favourite Fernando Torres also played his part in the victory -- entering as a second-half substitute and slamming in his penalty in the shootout. The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker told Atresmedia after the final whistle that he was proud especially of the character shown by younger teammates who netted in the shootout such as Jose Maria Gimenez and Saul Niguez.
"We're really happy," Torres said. "The lads are tied, but proud of what we've done. The important thing is we're in the next round. You take a penalty knowing what you're doing, just like we did last season. We did not miss a single one and that shows character, especially from the young lads in taking their responsibility."
Torres also had praise for a young PSV side who pushed Atletico all the way, saying he had been particularly impressed with the Dutch team's goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet in both legs.
"You have to say well done to PSV," he said. "They played a good game and they knew what they had to do. Without doubt their goalkeeper was the player of the tie, in both games. We couldn't create the chances we want to, but now we have to think in the future."