Diego Simeone picks out two Tottenham concerns after Atletico Madrid thrashing

Tottenham Hotspur were on the receiving end of a 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted that two tactics Tottenham used caused problems for his team. Spurs were on the receiving end of a 5-2 defeat to the La Liga outfit in the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.

Tottenham found themselves 4-0 behind after just 22 minutes, with Igor Tudor deciding to replace goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 17th minute with Guglielmo Vicario.

Pedro Porro got a goal back for Spurs before the interval, before former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez got his second of the game to put Atletico 5-1 in front.

Dominic Solanke would get another goal back for Tottenham, who now have a three-goal deficit to overcome in the second leg in north London next week.

Despite seeing his side score five goals and secure what would appear to be a comfortable win, Simeone noted the two tactics from Tottenham that created some problems for Atletico.

"I always focus on the positives," Simeone said, via AS. "Offensively, they have some strong players; their set pieces are dangerous, and even their throw-ins are dangerous.

"We started the game in a way that disrupted their rhythm, and that speaks well of our work."

Simeone went on to explain what impressed him most from Atletico’s performance against Tottenham.

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"I liked the team," Simeone said. "They had an impact, aided by the mistakes we forced into them. It gave us confidence, motivated us to keep pressing in their half, and build a significant lead.

"We could have dealt with their first goal better. From the 4-2, which could have happened with [Jan] Oblak's save, came an extraordinary transition between [Antoine] Griezmann and Julian [Alvarez], with link-up play, a 50 or 60-meter run, and a clinical finish. It gave us a good position in the game.

"The 5-2 came from one of our own errors, and we can enjoy the victory knowing that the Champions League is tough and no result guarantees you'll advance in the first match."

Tudor reflected on the difficulties that are facing him as Tottenham boss, with four defeats in a row and a Premier League away trip to reigning champions Liverpool to come at the weekend.

"I am not taking it that way. I recognise what we are and which problems we have," said Tudor.

"I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain. I see also the wish of the players to do the right things.

"We started good, let's say. These two or three minutes, I feel it during the game. These things, when they happen, what I said before, in the moment where we are now, unfortunately, it is like that.

"Even these slippery things happen, it explains the moment, because they didn't do it. The pitch was the same for both teams."