The Argentinian coach maintained it was a gesture to demonstrate the courage of the squad as well as key tactical decisions.

"It means we have balls, a lot of balls. To start (Diego) Costa and Koke after they hadn't played for a month takes balls," Simeone said, as reported by Sky Sport Italia.

"I did it as a player at Lazio and Bologna and I did it again to show our fans that we have 'cojones'.

"It wasn't aimed at the other team, I was turning towards our own supporters.

"It's not a nice gesture, I'll admit, but I felt the need to do it.

"It was such a tough game, we fought so hard and Diego Costa worked really hard when he wasn't 100 per cent fit.

"I had to show what I was feeling. I can only apologise if anyone was offended, but I did it from the heart."

Juventus will bid to overturn a two-goal deficit in the return leg in Turin on March 12.

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