The Eagles have occasionally struggled to break down their more defensively minded opponents in Europe this season, but Wharton says the Round of 16 tie was evidence of his team’s progress in that regard.
He reasoned: “I think a big part of it is game management, making sure you don't go a goal down, because when you do, it's very difficult and they go even deeper than they already started.
“[We’re] just trying to prevent their counter-attacks. We did it quite a lot last year in the Premier League and we got a lot of joy from it, sitting deep and hitting on the counter, and that's where a lot of our success came from.
“In this competition, it's been a lot more of us in possession, trying to break down the low blocks. It’s been a different sort of tactical side of the game.
“I don't know what the stats were for this one, but in the first leg, like I said, we conceded two shots – and one of them was about 35 yards out, so I think we’re making sure we prevent them from getting chances. If we don't concede, then we've got a big chance of winning.”