Diego Pablo Simeone, after losing Atlético's unbeaten record at the Metropolitano this season (he had 40 of 42 points), admitted Barça's superiority in the resounding 0-3 defeat.
“They were superior, they were forceful in the first goal situations. We had the first from Barrios, then from Morata for the 1-1... it was important. Not much had happened on defense. The second goal took us directly out of the game. We came from a great effort. I have nothing to complain to my players. They gave their maximum, there was nothing more. Calm down and push for fourth place. It will be complicated and difficult,” considers the Argentine coach.
Cholo could not find an explanation for his team's poor performance in recent weeks, which has led him to leave the Champions League places. “Teams improve and we also have to continue improving. It's not time to look for excuses, I don't like it. The reality is what it is. Wednesday was a beautiful 120 minutes, a great game, we gave everything against Inter... we tried to find fresh legs but the second goal took away the energy we could have had to continue pushing. They were forceful. Congratulate them because they played a good game,” acknowledged the Atlético coach.
“We have to continue improving a lot. That is the way. We are going to work accordingly,” he promised for the remainder of the season, with the Champions League still alive. “Now, to prepare for the Villarreal game and the championship, what may happen will dictate to us.”
The red and white coach pointed out that the championship has been too complicated for them. “In the League we have to take one more step. It's costing us. We have a very tough game in Villarreal. We will have a couple of days to train when the guys from the national team return. The other teams improve and we have to improve.”
For his part, Koke Resurrección commented that the match had been “even, especially at the beginning, until they scored the first goal, which hurt us, and especially the second goal, right at the start of the second half; “It was a tough defeat today.” The red and white midfielder considered that his team had paid for the physical waste of the Champions League against Inter, including extra time. “The effort of the other day has taken its toll on us, especially starting in the second half. Now there is a break in selections and we have to recharge our batteries for what is coming. The goal is to be among the top four and we have to realize where we are.”
Defender Reinildo admitted that Atlético had not played a good game. "We haven't played as we are used to, especially here at home. Today was a bad day," acknowledged the Mozambican.
"There is no need to look for excuses. The opponent played very well but the Inter game with extra time may have taken its toll on us. But we are prepared to play Wednesday and Sunday. It is our life. Today things did not go well for us" , expressed the defense.
The Mozambican from Atlético believes that "there are still many League games left; we are going to continue working with our heads up and we have to do the math at the end of the championship."
