"Best of all is the desire to win that we show"
Diego Pablo Simeone spoke at a press conference after the 2-0 win against Porto. The Argentine rated the game as "very good" and said that the match ups in the next round will be even due to the high quality of the teams.
Simeone took stock of the game and asserted that they had to change their strategy because Porto were causing problems. "We started trying to play more down the wing against Varela and Joshua. We wanted to have superiority out there and it was not possible at the start of the game because they had more of the ball than us. Then we changed tactics, also we started looking for Raul, who gives us the ability to close well behind and play crossed balls in to the danger area. The High Line Porto were playing allowed us to find spaces between the lines and from there the team was strong and comfortable." he confirmed.
The man from Buenos Aires stressed he goes out to play with the same intensity in each of the games regardless of the competition. "This is the line we've had since we arrived in the Champions League and Copa. What makes me happier is that with the changes and rotations, the guys who came in are now asking for more minutes with their effort, the desire to win is the most important thing in order to keep improving," he confessed.
Regarding Óliver, the Argentine coach said. "He has had a great game. He is a direct player with good vision and final pass. He is very important for the team and especially important is the intensity maintained throughout the game. Today he played a great game and we need this player playing like he has done today."
The Champions League enters the knock out phase with two-legged ties. Simeone does not considered his team "better than the teams that finished second" and admitted that "they are going to be equal with both sides having 50% chance of winning. All the teams are competitive, with more experience than us. It will be very even for everyone".
