Diego Simeone insists Atletico Madrid will not take Bodo/Glimt lightly

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has warned his side not to take Bodo/Glimt lightly or risk being on the end of another Champions League upset.

The Norwegians stunned Manchester City in the Arctic Circle with a 3-1 victory after Kasper Hogh struck twice in the first half.

Atletico have won seven of their last 10 games in all competitions, but still have work to do if they are to avoid a play-off round in the Champions League, heading into the final match of the initial phase in 12th place as one of several teams locked on 13 points.

With his side also needing other results to go their way to secure a top-eight spot and go straight into the last 16, Simeone knows there can be no complacency at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

“Bodo/Glimt have had some very difficult matches and have played very well away from home – they competed very well in Dortmund and they beat (Manchester) City,” Simeone said at a press conference.

“The team plays very well, with good transitions. We are going to try to win the match from a place of humility and hard work.”

Simeone added: “The Champions League is an occasion – as we are seeing on this final matchday, because the teams at the bottom want to move up and those at the top want to qualify for the round of 16.

“Other results have to go our way (for us to finish in the top eight), but we have to get a good result first.”

Defeats earlier in the campaign at both Liverpool and then Arsenal have left Atletico playing catch-up in the table, with more dropped points in their last match after a 1-1 draw at Galatasaray.

Simeone, though, remains confident his players have what it takes to make an impact in Europe again.

“We are at a level where we can compete with anyone,” he said. “This season we are doing well, and now we will see if we reach the round of 16 or the round of 32.”