Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone praised his team's ability to react to a difficult start to the game after Tuesday night's goalless Champions League quarterfinal first-leg draw vs. Real Madrid at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
An unusually sluggish Atletico were hanging on at times in the first half, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak making a string of fine saves from Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez to keep the score 0-0 at the break.
The home team were much better in the second period. Centre-forward Mario Mandzukic was a constant menace and had a late shot blocked, which might have given his side an advantage ahead of next Wednesday's return game at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Colchoneros coach told his post-match news conference at the Calderon that Oblak had shone when required early in the game, but was needed less after his teammates upped their intensity and aggression in the second 45.
"The first half the opponent was better, more intense, had chances, we were able to see a great Oblak playing very well, above all in the save from Bale," Simeone said. "The best thing about the game was how we reacted.
"In the second half we changed our intensity, our play, the position on the pitch we were playing and pressing from. So you saw Oblak less in the second half, the game was then much closer to how we wanted from the start."
A draw with goals scored next week will send Atletico through to the last four on away goals, however Simeone refused to accept that his team had gained an upper hand in the tie.
"It is very open still," he said. "It is a draw and it is very difficult to say. There is no point in talking about little advantages. We saw what they can do in the first side here. Then we were better in the second half. We are going there to try and do the best we can. It will be a very difficult game for us."
Mandzukic was furious after appearing to be elbowed by Madrid's Sergio Ramos, and later punched by Blancos' Dani Carvajal. However, Simeone said afterwards that he had enjoyed watching the physical battle on the pitch, and was not now interested in pushing for any UEFA punishment ahead of the second leg.
"I prefer to focus on what happens in the play and nothing else," he said. "Mandzukic played a very tough game, competed well against Ramos and Varane, it was a nice battle. He had an important game, did very well for us. Ramos contact was accidental for me. I did not see anything between Carvajal and Mandzukic."
Neither Madrid's dramatic win in last season's 'derbi' Champions League final, nor Atletico's unbeaten record in the seven meetings since, would have a bearing on Wednesday's return game, claimed Simeone.
"No previous games will weigh on next week, either way," he said. "It will be a different game. A classic that everyone is looking forward to, players, fans, everyone, these big games are the nicest things in football. We feel that responsibility and expectation. This shows football as the lovely sport it is."