Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has admitted that his team must be extra wary of AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli when the sides meet in the Champions League at the San Siro next Wednesday.

Simeone said that Balotelli's passion on the pitch does not make him any less strong mentally, but rather the type of player who can turn games single-handedly.

"Balotelli is a player who is in a position to win games by himself," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't think he is fragile, he's someone who just shows his feelings to others.

"For me, Milan are a strong team with a great club behind them who will try to do everything possible against us. We must be careful."

The second leg between the two teams takes place on March 11.