Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa was very happy after the 3:2 victory over Atletico Madrid, which preserved the team's chances in the battle for the La Liga title, sportal.bg reported.
“I am satisfied, we did what we had to do – we won the match. We took another step forward and we continue the fight“, said Arbeloa.
“The team is in good shape. The match was not easy at all, the opponent created serious difficulties for us. We had to show a very strong character. They equalized the score again and we had to press again – "That's what I liked the most, the mentality of this team," the former defender stressed.
“It's hard to understand the decision about Valverde's red card. I'm grateful that the referee came to the touchline and explained it to me. Sometimes in the dynamics of the game, things look one way, and when you look at them again, your opinion can change. But those were 15 minutes of real team spirit and mutual help. We defended to the limit of our capabilities and in the end everything ended well," Arbeloa said.
“It was exciting. I always say that the atmosphere of the derby is the most special in the league. I had the opportunity to experience it already as a coach. Besides, after several years without a win here, on our pitch, it was important to do it today," the coach of the "Whites" emphasized.
"I'm happy for the boys - they deserved it with their work. Now we go into the international break in good spirits and with peace of mind", added Arbeloa.
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to blame the refereeing for the defeat. The Argentine specialist preferred to focus on the performance of his team.
„I don't think we lost because of the refereeing. We had opportunities to create good chances, but we didn't take advantage of them. We deserved at least a little more", commented Simeone.
„Ademola Lookman continues to improve, he works very well, he gives us different qualities. We are helping him grow in defense because he does this job and is a boy with a huge heart and a desire to learn. I hope he continues to bring us important results, like he did today," Cholo said of the Nigerian striker.
“Did the referee have different criteria? I don't think it affected the match. We could have done a lot more - to defend better against their goals and to be more effective in attack. We have serious opponents and if you let them do anything, they will definitely punish you,” Simeone noted.
“We should have controlled the game better, built our attacks in a different way. We failed to do it at the crucial moment. "This is the fourth time I've said how I see the reasons for what happened in this match," Simeone concluded.
Atlético is in 4th place in the standings, one point behind third-placed Villarreal.
Source: sportal.bg