The ‘rojiblancos’, satisfied with the win and confident of moving on in the Cup
Assunçao: “We suffered against Espanyol, but it was worth the pain”
Atlético de Madrid players Tomas Ujfalusi, Paulo Assunçao and Filipe Luis, were very satisfied with the result, although all of them agreed that they will still have to work hard in the return leg to pass through to the next round.
“It was a tough match. Espanyol is playing very good football and showed that again today, as they had three or four clear chances. We did too, and the important thing is that we were able to get the win,” highlighted Ujfalusi. The defender also emphasized the importance of going into the return leg fixture with intensity because “it’s going to be very difficult. We have to improve defensively because they have to score a goal and if we defend well, we’ll have a greater chance to qualify. In general, we always have a couple of scoring chances and we’ll have to finish them off.”
The Czech right back stated that he doesn’t agree with the referee’s decision to send off Reyes, as he believes that “if the official sends off Reyes, then he should have also done the same with Dátolo. Dátolo started it by firing the ball off of Reyes back after the play, and Reyes reacted. If he sent someone off it should have been the two of them, not just one.”
For his part, Assunçao returned to the starting line-up, and was very pleased with this fact. “I hadn’t played in a while and I was pleased to return, but the important thing is that the team was able to win and that makes me happy,” he commented. The Brazilian midfielder pointed out that they “suffered” during the clash against Espanyol, but that “it was worth it. Playing the return leg in Barcelona is going to be tough because they’re playing very well, but we’re going to work hard to go up there and be competitive,” he concluded.
Filipe Luis was one of the other players in charge of speaking after the Espanyol in the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg match. The Brazilian was happy with the victory and for having completed another game without conceding a goal. “Not giving up any goals was important because that’s decisive in Cup play. The tie is open and the return leg is going to be difficult, but now we have to think about going on holidays relaxed. It was a tough match, especially a man down after Reyes was sent off. What the coach said at the half about how we had to play was key, and then the match was more balanced when Víctor Ruiz was sent off. Scoring there will be very important. I’ve still never played at Cornellá but what I want is to pass through to the next round. Simão is a born leader who always makes everyone in the dressing room happy, and it’s a pity that he’s leaving. We’re really going to support Elías, but at a team such as Atlético and in a city like Madrid he won’t have a problem.”
“It was a tough match. Espanyol is playing very good football and showed that again today, as they had three or four clear chances. We did too, and the important thing is that we were able to get the win,” highlighted Ujfalusi. The defender also emphasized the importance of going into the return leg fixture with intensity because “it’s going to be very difficult. We have to improve defensively because they have to score a goal and if we defend well, we’ll have a greater chance to qualify. In general, we always have a couple of scoring chances and we’ll have to finish them off.”
The Czech right back stated that he doesn’t agree with the referee’s decision to send off Reyes, as he believes that “if the official sends off Reyes, then he should have also done the same with Dátolo. Dátolo started it by firing the ball off of Reyes back after the play, and Reyes reacted. If he sent someone off it should have been the two of them, not just one.”
For his part, Assunçao returned to the starting line-up, and was very pleased with this fact. “I hadn’t played in a while and I was pleased to return, but the important thing is that the team was able to win and that makes me happy,” he commented. The Brazilian midfielder pointed out that they “suffered” during the clash against Espanyol, but that “it was worth it. Playing the return leg in Barcelona is going to be tough because they’re playing very well, but we’re going to work hard to go up there and be competitive,” he concluded.
Filipe Luis was one of the other players in charge of speaking after the Espanyol in the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg match. The Brazilian was happy with the victory and for having completed another game without conceding a goal. “Not giving up any goals was important because that’s decisive in Cup play. The tie is open and the return leg is going to be difficult, but now we have to think about going on holidays relaxed. It was a tough match, especially a man down after Reyes was sent off. What the coach said at the half about how we had to play was key, and then the match was more balanced when Víctor Ruiz was sent off. Scoring there will be very important. I’ve still never played at Cornellá but what I want is to pass through to the next round. Simão is a born leader who always makes everyone in the dressing room happy, and it’s a pity that he’s leaving. We’re really going to support Elías, but at a team such as Atlético and in a city like Madrid he won’t have a problem.”