Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has conceded that two tactics used by Tottenham posed difficulties for his side. Spurs endured a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the La Liga club in the Champions League last-16 encounter on Tuesday evening.

Tottenham found themselves trailing 4-0 after merely 22 minutes, with Igor Tudor opting to substitute goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 17th minute with Guglielmo Vicario.

Pedro Porro reduced the arrears for Spurs before half-time, before former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez netted his second of the match to extend Atletico's lead to 5-1.

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

Despite seeing his team net five goals and claim what appeared to be a commanding victory, Simeone highlighted the two tactics from Tottenham that presented certain challenges 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."

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Simeone proceeded to elaborate on what impressed him most from Atletico's display against Tottenham.

"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 challenges he faces as Tottenham manager, with four consecutive losses and an away Premier League fixture against reigning champions Liverpool looming 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."