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Pep Guardiola unhappy with Bayern Munich's slow start in 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid

Pep Guardiola
Image: Pep Guardiola bemoaned his side's poor start in Madrid

Pep Guardiola was unhappy with Bayern Munich's performance in the 1-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat at Atletico Madrid.

Saul Niguez's sublime individual goal gave Diego Simeone's Atletico the first-leg advantage on Wednesday night, though Bayern did come close on several occasions in the second half.

Although Guardiola said the majority of Bayern's performance was good, he bemoaned his side's lack of fight for Niguez's goal after the Spaniard skipped through three challenges before scoring.

Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid celebrates
Image: Saul Niguez celebrates scoring the only goal of the game

"Their goal is a brilliant goal, but it's our mistake," said the Bayern boss. "We kept standing off. I'm not happy with how we played.

"It was a good game overall, but we started badly. The goal was a consequence of our slow play. We didn't win even one battle.

Report: Atletico 1-0 Bayern
Report: Atletico 1-0 Bayern

Saul Niguez gave Atletico Madrid a vital 1-0 win over Bayern Munich

"We created more than enough chances, 75 per cent of our performance was great."

Guardiola, who will be leaving Bayern in the summer for Manchester City, still has hopes of progressing after the second leg in Munich on Tuesday, but says they must play with more intelligence at the Allianz Arena.

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Manuel Neuer can't stop Atletico Madrid taking the lead
Image: Manuel Neuer couldn't stop Atletico Madrid taking the lead

"We have to play more intelligently in the return match," he added. "We need patience and we only need a goal to take the game to extra time.

"The result isn't good. It makes the return tough but we still hope to make the final."

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