Spurs 3-2 Atletico Madrid | Igor Tudor’s verdict | OneFootball

Igor Tudor had mixed emotions after our 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid but, ultimately, our exit from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

On the one hand, Igor was ‘proud’ of the performance having gone into the second leg of the Round of 16 tie 5-2 down from last week's first leg in Madrid. On the other, however, ‘sad’ that we didn’t overturn that deficit on what could have been a night of all European nights in N17.

Always looking to get on the front foot, we took the lead on 30 minutes when Randal Kolo Muani planted home his header from Mathys Tel’s cross.

Chances came and went but at 1-0 on the night, we looked in position to attack the second half – only for Atleti to level at 1-1 and restore their three-goal overall lead through Julian Alvarez two minutes into the second half.

We came roaring back with our best spell as Xavi Simons curled home beautifully for 2-1 and Pedro Porro twice tested Juan Musso, only for David Hancko to deflate us with Atleti’s second equaliser on the night. That would prove enough for the La Liga side but we fought on to take a deserved victory when Xavi was fouled in the penalty area, picked himself up and dispatched the spot kick for the final 3-2 scoreline – Atleti progressing 7-5 on aggregate.

Speaking to us afterwards, Igor reflected: “I thought we played very well. It was a sensation from the first minute that the players were going strong and they wanted to do it. The fans recognised this and until the last minute they were together with us.

“So, proud of the performance, and sad, because we didn't pass, but good for morale, good for everyone, not just the players, but also the club and the fans before we finished the season. It will be important.”

Asked about the connection between players and fans, Igor said: “Yes, a beautiful sensation on the pitch. I really enjoyed it from the first to the last moment of the game. It was magical.

“The guys pushed from the first moment. They believed that we could do it, so that was the key. After 1-0, the idea was, as I said before, to just take 1-0 and see what happened. Then the referee didn't give the foul on Xavi (before Alvarez’s first equaliser). It was a key moment of the game.

“That’s football, it's always about that. It's about details, about mistakes. So, the sensation that if it didn't happen, what happened after 20 minutes in Madrid, we could have a big probability to pass. But this is the past - we need to watch the future.”