Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said he could tick off his latest objective after Wednesday's goalless draw at Juventus secured top spot in Group A for his side.
While Juventus began the game at a high tempo, a supremely organized Atleti soon took control. The second half was played with both teams knowing that a goalless draw would see them both through to the next round no matter what happened in the group's other game between Olympiakos and Malmo.
Speaking afterwards Los Colchoneros coach told reporters in the Juventus Stadium mixed zone that for a team like Atletico qualifying as group winners was in itself an important achievement.
"When we began the season, the first objective was to beat Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa," he said. "Then it was to make the last 16 of this competition, and we have now gone through two seasons in a row as winners. We do not have much experience in this competition, so for us this is very important achievement."
Simeone denied that the game had lacked intensity as both teams had played within themselves due to the situation.
"The first half was hard -- we had two very clear chances," he said. "They had opportunities in play causing danger if not chances. Until the last 20 minutes we were intense. Near the end we decided to close up at the back and they decided to have the ball. We were looking for any mistake to counter. I am happy with the work of the lads against a great opponent."
The Argentine had special praise for the work of centre-forward Mario Mandzukic, who had been tasked with closing down Juventus' playmaker Andrea Pirlo throughout, and also contributing in attack.
"He did very good work against [Pirlo] and the team appreciates that," Simeone said. "Juve almost played with one player less. He also played a good part in the chance which Koke had. Mandzukic has done fundamental work for the good of the team."
Simeone said that to finish ahead of a European giant like Juventus, after starting the group with an unexpected defeat at Olympiakos, was something extra special.
"We measured ourselves against a great opponent, who could have knocked us out of the competition by winning at the Calderon [in their first group meeting]," he said. "In the end the situation was turned around and we have not lost in their home, where for a long time they have been getting positive results."
The Atleti manager was then asked if his next objective was to win the Champions League, which Atletico lost out on in agonising circumstances in last year's final vs. Real Madrid. Simeone said he was only focusing for the moment on Sunday's La Liga game at home to Villarreal and would then wait on the draw for the Champions League last 16.
"Our objective is to win on Sunday," he said. "We go from game to game, like always. Now, remaining humble, we will look and see who we get next."