Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has admitted the team had "mixed emotions" after their 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
The Premier League outfit endured a difficult first half in the Spanish capital, as Joao Felix scored to give the defending La Liga champions a 1-0 lead.
United fought back in the second half, however, with Anthony Elanga scoring a late equaliser to ensure it's all to play for in the second leg at Old Trafford on March 15.
Speaking after the game to MUTV, Matic admitted: "It was a mix of emotions.
"We're happy because we scored at the end, we go home with a result, but we also know that we need to play better football, control the ball more, the game.
Can Manchester United win the Champions League? Let us know in the comments below!
"There are some things that we have to work on and that we have to improve.
"To come here, in this stadium, against a very good side, and to draw is not that bad, but deep in ourselves, we know we have to play better.
"Watching from the bench, I thought that we were missing control with the ball.
"When I came on, the coach told me to try to have the ball more, to calm down, to help my teammates.
"It's exactly what I tried to do during that short period and I think I did my job very well."
United are aiming to end a five-year wait to win a major trophy but are not considered among the favourites to win the Champions League.
Local rivals Manchester City - who hammered Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon 5-0 on their own patch last week - are being tipped by the bookies.
Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and holders Chelsea are also being backed to challenge for the famous trophy.
United have already been knocked out of the FA Cup, EFL Cup and are not in the running to win the Premier League title.
On the second leg, Matic added: "The most important thing is how we play and I’m sure if we improve, as I said, in those segments with the ball then we will control more and we will win the game.
"We respect them, but we know that we represent one of the best clubs in the world and I’m sure that we will do our best and we will go through."
Matic was also keen to praise Elanga - United's saviour in Madrid - after another outstanding performance from the youngster.
The Swede, 19, has been a revelation since Ralf Rangnick's appointment, scoring his third goal of a breakthrough season against Atletico.
"For a very young player to come here and score against Atletico Madrid he will remember this moment forever for sure and he deserved that," said Matic.
"He’s working very hard, he’s a very, very nice kid I have to say – very polite, respectful and I think he’s the future of our club."
