Simeone salutes Atlético's warrior spirit
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
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While Diego Simeone looked back on a memorable night after taking Club Atlético de Madrid into the last eight, Clarence Seedorf admitted AC Milan "lacked fighting spirit".
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Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
The atmosphere was brilliant, a night to remember. We started the first half better than them, and it seemed the game was under control after our first goal, but they got into it. I knew Milan could make life difficult; they have Ignazio Abate, Kaká, Mario Balotelli ... but my players were at their best in the second half.
Only with the third goal did I relax a little. Now we have to wait and see who we get in the next round. Today was very important for the team. I am very happy with the result, it is historic. I have warriors on the pitch.
It's a good moment for us, but right now I'm trying not to think too much about things or to get as excited as maybe we could get after waiting so long for this. We have a difficult quarter-final ahead. We have to rest and continue working. This is a duty for everyone, from those in charge all the way down the club – every employee. We must continue on the same path.
Clarence Seedorf, Milan coach
Mentally we always struggle when we go behind and tonight it happened again. In the first half we conceded a goal almost immediately. We managed to react after a few minutes until we equalised. After our goal we were in control of the game but Atlético scored again and that was a huge blow for my players, who didn't manage to react a second time.
In the second half we lacked the fighting spirit needed in this kind of game. We played mostly in our half without creating enough in attack. I'm disappointed with our display.
We have analysed the situation together in the dressing room. The UEFA Champions League was an important objective for us; now we have to give ourselves other targets until the end of the season in Serie A. There are 11 games left and we need precise aims because we cannot throw away the good things we have done.
We played well in the first leg and tonight we proved in the first half that qualification was still possible. Players are always very down when they lose, especially in the Champions League. My job is to keep them up so that they can give everything they have until the end of the season.
