Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said that humility is all important as last year's finalists begin their 2016-17 Champions League campaign at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.
Atletico faced PSV in the last 16 of last season's competition, progressing 8-7 on penalties after the two legs both finished goalless, and going on to reach the final in Milan, where they once again lost out in dramatic fashion to city rivals Real Madrid.
Since then Atletico have strengthened their squad by spending over €80 million on new signings including striker Kevin Gameiro and playmaker Nicolas Gaitan.
The Colchoneros coach was asked at his pre-game news conference if he felt his club were now capable of finally lifting a first Champions League trophy.
"We are capable of winning tomorrow's game," said Simeone with a trademark stare. "To think any further would not be humble."
The Argentine coach predicted that Tuesday's game would be more open than the two tense meetings last season, given both teams wish to get the three points on offer in their Group D opener.
"That time it was the last 16, a knockout game, now there are points at play and that changes things," he said. "This is a nice stadium to play in, a fantastic atmosphere, a good place to begin.
"Six months ago goals were important, tomorrow it will be the points. PSV are a good team, especially on the break. They played two different ways last season."
. @Simeone: "@PSV is a difficult team, very fast in the transition and with a very good defensive solidity" #UCL pic.twitter.com/AmB4WRZsJ6
- Atleti English (@atletienglish) September 12, 2016
Atletico drew their first two La Liga games of the season against newly promoted Alaves and Leganes, but showed better form when winning 4-0 at Celta Vigo last Saturday, with all four goals coming after half-time.
"A win was needed to get off the ground and build confidence," Simeone said. "When we scored the other day we relaxed, and then we played very well. All teams need to win to have confidence. In the second half in Vigo the team freed itself."
Fernando Torres started Saturday's game at Celta, with €30 million ex-Sevilla forward Gameiro on the bench.
But Simeone knocked back a question about whether he had needed to speak with the France international about chances missed in his appearances so far for Atletico.
"We look to put on the pitch the people who can help us win the game, not to make them happy. If we did that this would be a club for friends and it is not," he said. "I've not spoken to Gameiro about his misses.
"He is a player who brings us pace, takes people on, scores goals, just what we expected of him."