Jesualdo Ferreira admitted Porto’s 2-2 draw at Atleico de Madrid in the Champions League last 16 “felt like a defeat” after the visitors failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities that fell their way at the Vicente Calderon.
Opposite number Abel Resino, conceded a draw was “not a bad result” and is confident Atlético can prevail in two weeks’ time, even if they will not have home advantage.
“I wanted to win the match but we faced a great team, who are very strong and have several quick forwards,” said Resina.
“It was a very competitive match so it’s not a bad result – we were very tired by the end. Porto are a great side, but we have to fight and try to win the second leg; we have many options and we will not give up.
“Sergio Agüero worked hard but the Porto centre-backs played very well. When I put [Florent] Sinama [Pongolle] on my intention was to position Maxi [Rodríguez] behind the forwards to keep possession.
‘Now the tie is open. They may have taken a draw from here but we can win in Portugal. Also, we will be better physically in the second leg in two weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, Ferreira admitted that his players were disappointed not to have earned the victory their play deserved.
“This result feels like a defeat but we can take many positives, like playing at the same intensity for the 90 minutes,” he said.
“We did not get what we deserved so it’s not a positive result. Football is strange; sometimes you can score from several opportunities and other times not.
“It was a strange game because in the first half we did not give everything but in the second half we were better. We had the initiative but there were many faults in our game. It was a good performance from Porto.
“We can get through but in the group stage this result would have cost us two points. We were ambitious and concentrated throughout the match and that is what really matters.”
