Quique Sánchez Flores: “I have nothing to reproach my players for”
“I didn’t see a lack of intensity from my team”
The manager of Atlético de Madrid, Quique Sánchez Flores, appeared content with his team’s attitude against Real Madrid, saying that “I think that the team went into the match well and the result didn’t do us justice. Their goals came on two isolated plays. I have nothing to reproach my players for.
“I didn’t see problems or a lack of intensity from my team. If I complained about anything at the half it was a lack of forcefulness in certain clearances. We never gave up on ball possession and we challenged every ball. We’re leaving the Santiago Bernabéu with the feeling that we controlled the match, we stood up to Real Madrid, we didn’t let them create chances and we played a serious match,” he commented.
Quique highlighted that “I think that Atlético showed that we’re a team with character; not many are capable of coming back from a 2-0 deficit at the Bernabéu. We stopped important players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso or Higuaín. The difference between the two teams was accuracy in front of the goal.
“It’s true that we’re not having any luck with the officiating. We all saw what seemed to be a clear hand ball, but I think that the referee did a good job and that luck will surely change,” acknowledged the head coach.
Upon being asked about the absence of Assunçao in the starting line-up, the Atleti manager responded that “we made that change because we thought that it was a good idea to impose more speed to our play. Mario is a very fast lad and played an important role in this match.”
Regarding Diego Forlán, the coach stated that “he was better than on other occasions. Diego got some rest and you could see that; he’ll surely get some more rest. He had more spark and he and Kun did a very good job, especially in covering Xabi Alonso.
“I never leave a stadium satisfied if I lose. In the next training session I’ll tell my players that they have to pick their heads up because we have Cup, League and Europa League matches coming up and they’re all very important. In league we know that we have a four or five point difference with those above us that we have to make up,” he concluded.
“I didn’t see problems or a lack of intensity from my team. If I complained about anything at the half it was a lack of forcefulness in certain clearances. We never gave up on ball possession and we challenged every ball. We’re leaving the Santiago Bernabéu with the feeling that we controlled the match, we stood up to Real Madrid, we didn’t let them create chances and we played a serious match,” he commented.
Quique highlighted that “I think that Atlético showed that we’re a team with character; not many are capable of coming back from a 2-0 deficit at the Bernabéu. We stopped important players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso or Higuaín. The difference between the two teams was accuracy in front of the goal.
“It’s true that we’re not having any luck with the officiating. We all saw what seemed to be a clear hand ball, but I think that the referee did a good job and that luck will surely change,” acknowledged the head coach.
Upon being asked about the absence of Assunçao in the starting line-up, the Atleti manager responded that “we made that change because we thought that it was a good idea to impose more speed to our play. Mario is a very fast lad and played an important role in this match.”
Regarding Diego Forlán, the coach stated that “he was better than on other occasions. Diego got some rest and you could see that; he’ll surely get some more rest. He had more spark and he and Kun did a very good job, especially in covering Xabi Alonso.
“I never leave a stadium satisfied if I lose. In the next training session I’ll tell my players that they have to pick their heads up because we have Cup, League and Europa League matches coming up and they’re all very important. In league we know that we have a four or five point difference with those above us that we have to make up,” he concluded.