In the post-match press conference after his side's 1-0 win over Liverpool at a buzzing Wanda Metropolitano on 18 February, Diego Simeone told of how Atletico Madrid 'started winning' when the team bus approached the roundabout outside the stadium and was met by a sea of fans turning the evening air red with flare smoke.
It was an impressive display that continued inside the ground - albeit without the flares - and was perhaps Atleti's first great truly night at their new home, which had struggled to measure up to the atmospheres of old at the Vicente Calderon.
Simeone relished it, orchestrating the crowd like a possessed conductor, gesticulating wildly to the stands from well beyond the confines of his technical area, seemingly able to turn up the decibel levels with a flick of his wrist.
Otra forma de entender la vida. Gracias afición!! #ForzaAtleti ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wyAf6RjZMQ
— Álvaro Morata (@AlvaroMorata) February 18, 2020
Back in the press-conference, the Atleti boss was then asked about his thoughts on the return leg at Anfield and its own history of producing magical European nights.
"I'm not thinking about this. I'm not thinking about this," he said, before curtly getting up and exiting the room.
It was a response that left some of the English reporters in the room exchanging smirks and raising eyebrows.
Fair enough, that was Atleti's night and victory - their best of a limp season. However, now, three weeks on, it would be unrealistic to expect that thoughts on the power of Anfield have not crossed Simeone's mind.
Liverpool's away record in Europe - not just this season but in recent years - has been a source of concern. However, at home, they have been nothing short of superb.
The Reds have not lost a home game in Europe since 2014 (when Brendan Rodgers' dismally rebuilt post-Suarez side were taken apart by Real Madrid).
There are also enough records and stats to fill books but, in truth, it's been a slightly odd domestic campaign for Reds fans who waited so long for a title only to see it now ushered in without much of a fight. It's no less significant, impressive, or even enjoyable for fans, but just perhaps without some element of drama; an electric shock.
For the first time in months, as Atletico Madrid - Simeone's hard-running, defensive dark-arts specialists - come to town, Liverpool
The stadium was built on and for nights like this and - as Manchester City, Barcelona and many others can attest - whether or not you want to think about it, the atmosphere is a factor.
Anfield awaits on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/3FtBPcysh4
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 9, 2020
As the precautions against the spread of the coronavirus risk continue to filter into the world of sport, there is also the very real and increasing possibility that more European games after Wednesday could be played behind closed doors or even postponed.
What happens to Liverpool's title charge in the event that more games are affected is unknown. However, with everything up in the air and health (rightly) taking priority over football matters, the Champions League round of 16 second-leg may then be the last chance (for a little while at least) for Liverpool fans to enjoy a special, potentially season-making European night at Anfield - to provide that 'electric shock' and give Simeone something to think about.
Source : 90min