Agüero artistry leaves OM needing 'miracle'

A superb performance from Sergio Agüero, beginning with a fourth-minute goal, inspired Club Atlético de Madrid to victory against Olympique de Marseille and both victorious coach Javier Aguirre and defeated Erik Gerets united in praise for the Argentinian striker. While Atlético have maximum points in UEFA Champions League Group D, Marseille are yet to get off the mark and Gerets knows they have to make the most of their double-header against a team in the same situation, PSV Eindhoven.

Javier Aguirre, Atlético coach
We are obliged to win at home, and could have settled the match in the first half. Marseille played well. My players felt tired during the second half but they avoided giving too much space to our opponents. We were thinking about next Saturday's match against FC Barcelona. The team has six points and are very happy. It's good to start a match with a goal. Agüero could have scored again after his goal, but made a big effort throughout. Maniche was ruled out of the match yesterday but he came to me this morning and said he was able to play. We gave him some time and his experience showed. Let's see if he can play on Saturday.

Erik Gerets, Marseille coach
We're frustrated and disappointed – we need more mental strength. Atlético played well down the flanks and we couldn't stop them. We don't have any points after two matches and are almost eliminated. Agüero always times it right. He is a phenomenal player and has scored many goals like tonight's one. I told my players how to defend against him but he is a great player. We had chances to score but the goal didn't come. My team played quite well, so it's difficult to accept that the match is lost by an individual mistake but that's how it is. If I had to punish my players after every game I would have to play alone. We will avoid these mistakes in the future. Atlético made fewer mistakes in defence and attack. We will go to Eindhoven to win, but need a little miracle to qualify.