The Uruguayan defender says the Rojiblancos coach was the
inspiration behind the set-piece move that clinched victory at the Dragao.
Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin hailed his manager
Diego Simeone following the team's 2-1 Champions League win at Porto.
The Spanish side travelled to Portugal on the back of
seven consecutive La Liga victories this season, while their hosts had not lost
at Estadio Dragao in Europe's premier club cup competition since November 2009.
Jackson Martinez lost his marker Godin to head Porto into
a first-half lead, but the home side could not capitalise on their superiority
before the break and Atletico made them pay.
Godin made amends for his earlier error by equalising
before Gabi passed a free-kick into the area for Arda Turan's 86th-minute
winner, with the Turk capping off a brilliantly simple set-piece that was
apparently Simeone’s idea.
Godin told reporters after the game: "The merit goes
to our coach who put the move together.
"We are going game by game - not thinking about
winning Liga or the UEFA Champions League – but continuing to work hard."
The Uruguay international was delighted to find the back
of the net and is adamant that was the turning point in the match.
He added: "The truth is that my goal was a special
one as it brought us back into a game that was a little bogged down.
"You have to tip your hat to our second which came
from a strategic move that we had prepared, but until the game didn't have an
opportunity to pull it off."
Simeone was quick to congratulate his players for
triumphing at a stadium in which Porto had not lost in 35 matches.
"We played an extremely difficult game in a stadium
in which few win," the Argentine enthused. "I want to give huge
congratulations to the response given by the team from the first to second
half."
Atletico now top Group G with two wins from two games.
Culled from Goal
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