The Atlético players are optimistic about passing the Group Stage
Fran Mérida: “We want to win what’s left and finish first”
Atlético de Madrid earned a point against Bayer 04 Leverkusen that, together with Rosenborg’s victory over Aris, left the ‘rojiblancos’ in last place in the table, but with chances, as their next opponent at the Calderón is the Norwegian side. Fran Mérida and Reyes appeared before the press in the mixed zone after the match and pointed out that they have the quality to reach the next round.
Fran Mérida highlighted that “we dominated in the first half but their goal hurt us. Nevertheless, we were able to react in the second half. The defender touched me inside the area and it was a penalty. The draw was a pity, although the positive thing is that the team was up to the challenge. We want to win the remaining games and finish first in the group. Bayer is a tough team, well-placed, very physical, and that makes things difficult. We’re in a complicated group and we can’t slip up anymore. The team is confident of itself and I have plenty of confidence in the team. I’m very happy to have played 45 minutes. I thought I did well and now I’ll wait and see what the coach says. We have a fixture against a direct rival in Sevilla on Sunday and it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a high-intensity match and we’re only thinking about winning it. It’s going to be a special game, but we like these types of games. We want to get a win to go into the league break with a good taste in our mouths,” he said.
For his part, José Antonio Reyes was honest regarding Atlético’s transformation from the first to the second half. “Not even we know what happened to us in the first half. We played better in the second half and we’ll stick with that, which was the positive thing. Atlético has a great squad and we’re capable of winning the four remaining matches in this group stage. Bearing the other result in mind, and how the group is going, the point we earned against Bayer isn’t as bad as it might seem. Our manager told us at the half that we know how to play football and that we’re capable of reacting. We were missing another goal but when the ball doesn’t want to go in, it doesn’t go in,” he wrapped up.
Fran Mérida highlighted that “we dominated in the first half but their goal hurt us. Nevertheless, we were able to react in the second half. The defender touched me inside the area and it was a penalty. The draw was a pity, although the positive thing is that the team was up to the challenge. We want to win the remaining games and finish first in the group. Bayer is a tough team, well-placed, very physical, and that makes things difficult. We’re in a complicated group and we can’t slip up anymore. The team is confident of itself and I have plenty of confidence in the team. I’m very happy to have played 45 minutes. I thought I did well and now I’ll wait and see what the coach says. We have a fixture against a direct rival in Sevilla on Sunday and it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a high-intensity match and we’re only thinking about winning it. It’s going to be a special game, but we like these types of games. We want to get a win to go into the league break with a good taste in our mouths,” he said.
For his part, José Antonio Reyes was honest regarding Atlético’s transformation from the first to the second half. “Not even we know what happened to us in the first half. We played better in the second half and we’ll stick with that, which was the positive thing. Atlético has a great squad and we’re capable of winning the four remaining matches in this group stage. Bearing the other result in mind, and how the group is going, the point we earned against Bayer isn’t as bad as it might seem. Our manager told us at the half that we know how to play football and that we’re capable of reacting. We were missing another goal but when the ball doesn’t want to go in, it doesn’t go in,” he wrapped up.