Simeone pledges to chase victory at Allianz Arena

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The Spanish club enjoy a slim lead going into the decisive clash at Allianz Arena, but their coach insists they are good enough to repeat their Calderon heroics

Diego Simeone insists Atletico Madrid will play to win at Bayern Munich despite their advantage heading into the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Saul Niguez's sublime solo effort set up Atleti for a typically battling 1-0 win in last week's reverse contest at Vicente Calderon.

Simeone's side are a formidable defensive unit, having conceded only 16 goals in 36 Liga matches this season, but the Argentine coach is not willing to rest on a slender advantage at the Allianz Arena.

"I do not have any shame to acknowledge that I have fear - now and before every game," he told a pre-match news conference.

"Let's go out and win. We know that the draw gets us through but we cannot think of staying in it. Winning is the essence of the game."

Much has been made of the contrast between Atletico's obdurate and clinical style and the methodical dominance of possession espoused by the likes of Bayern and Barcelona, whose downfall Simeone masterminded in the previous round.

The Atleti boss refused to fire any barbs in the direction of Bayern boss Pep Guardiola and declined to become bogged down in discussions of tactical systems.

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