Mauricio Pochettino, manager of RCD Espanyol, assured at his post-game press conference after beating Atlético de Madrid that he was very satisfied with the game played by his players. Pochettino stated that “Espanyol showed that we’re an ambitious team with a lot of attitude. We’re competing and maturing at the same time, with excitement and character beyond what is reflected on one’s identity card.”

The Argentine head coach emphasized that “we have to enjoy the moment. Fourth place is a temporary thing in this competition and the truly important thing will be to work more intensely from now on to make it to the last week in the same situation. The important thing is for us to be here in May.”
 
Pochettino was very discrete and prudent regarding the controversy stemming from the final moments. “I didn’t see anything; giving an opinion would be to talk for the sake of talking. The only thing that I tried to do was calm everyone down so that none of my players were harmed by an officiating decision. What happens on the pitch should stay there,” he concluded.