Tiago suffered a broken leg during a La Liga game against Espanyol last November, and missed the remainder of the 2015-16 season due to the lengthy recovery period required.
Speaking at his post-match news conference at the MCG, the Colchoneros coach said such work was paying off as the midfielder was getting his game back.
"Tiago is doing well, he got a good preseason and is improving with games," Simeone said. "His tactical and technical play is always extraordinary, and we need him to get match fitness. He is improving with that, he needs it, and it will be very good for him."
Tottenham might have got at least a draw if not for the woodwork and some excellent saves from Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who Simeone said was again showing just why he was one of the world's best players in his position.
"[Oblak] is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," he said. "He has started the season really well, maintaining his standards and his level. He's continuing to do what he has done ever since he arrived here."
Last May's agonising Champions League final defeat on penalties to Real Madrid was especially painful for both Atletico and their coach, but they looked recharged and ready for the new campaign even as both teams used the usual large number of substitutions during the second half.
Simeone said that even at this stage of the preseason he and his players knew no other way of going about their jobs.
"Our structure and our way of understanding the game is the same these last four years -- whether in friendlies, Supercups, Europa League, La Liga, or the Champions League we play with the same enthusiasm and we are not going to change."
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