Simao wants home advantage

(GSM) – Simao has emphasized the importance of Atletico Madrid taking a good result from their home leg with Liverpool tonight. The first leg will be played at the Vicente Calderon in the Europa League semi-final.

Simao insists that Atletico need to take advantage of playing at home in the first meeting. The Portuguese winger acknowledges the importance of rewarding the fans with a trophy and believes that possession can be the key to victory.

“These games against Liverpool will not be easy and I expect two tough matches between two evenly matched sides

“I think the tie will be settled on the smallest details.

“For us the main objective is to score at home and to give ourselves a chance in England.

“The tie will ultimately be settled at Anfield, but we need to make sure we arrive there with an opportunity to progress.”

“The key to this match will be to force the play and to dominate possession, only then will we get the chance to test (Jose) Reina.

“Atletico and Liverpool are two teams that need no introduction and the surprise factor is discarded at the semi-final stage.

“I don’t think Liverpool’s problems in the league will make any difference either, because we have suffered the same thing.

“We have not been able to transfer our form in the cups into the Primera Liga and that is disappointing for our supporters.

“Our fans dream of titles and it is vital we give our all over the course of these 180 minutes to make sure we reach the final.”