Trio give Benitez headache before Blues test

The second period, however, belonged to Atletico and they were rewarded seven minutes from time. Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan capitalised on an error by Jamie Carragher to feed the ball through for Simao and the Portugal international clinically drove the ball home.

Benitez admitted: "I think we had control of the game in the first half and part of the second half and I'm disappointed because we had chances to finish the game off. We then made a mistake and paid for it.

"If you said to me before the game that we would have seven points in the group then it might have been good, but after leading until the 83rd minute and the chances that we had, in my opinion we have lost another two points."

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre had been under huge pressure at the start of the match due to three successive League defeats against Sevilla, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He said: "It was important not to lose at home following the recent results. During the break we spoke about the conviction we needed and we how couldn't lose at home. I think these factors were key and the team showed more spirit after the break."