Atletico and Barca shared points in a goalless draw at Vincente Calderon and both Argentinian coaches were pleased to stay joint leaders of La Liga.
Tata Martino:
“It’s a good point if we keep in mind that we played away to a team that have not conceded any points at home up until today.”
“We wanted to win the match but we can’t be reproached for getting this result. It’s not a bad thing to close out the first half of the season with 50 points.” He added: “I have the feeling that tonight’s match will make us stronger.”
“We didn’t concede any counterattacks and our predisposition to recover possession and pressure their key players requires absolute concentration.”
“We weren’t as quick with our ball circulation and we weren’t as dynamic. However, in these types of matches you can’t take anything away from your opponent.”
"Other day, Messi, played 30 minutes and this Saturday, 45. We wanted him to play less but Iniesta’s injury changed our plans. Atlético Madrid’s defensive set-up is hard to break, even for him.”
"In footballing terms we improved over time. In terms of points, I want to be champions in the summer, not in the winter, but reaching this point in the season with 50 points is good.”
Diego Simeone:
"We have a great amount of respect for Barcelona but there is a small difference of some €400million between us."
"We fought – with the weapons we have at our disposal, and that's a good thing."
"With this group of players, who give their lives in every match, we are still able to keep dreaming – taking it game by game."
"They struggle against us, just as we do against them."
"The secret is down to the hard work our forwards do – without their efforts, it's impossible to function as a team in these sorts of situations."
"Today, we played with a 4-4-2 formation with (David) Villa and Costa working flat out, that shows how committed the team is."
Tata Martino:
“It’s a good point if we keep in mind that we played away to a team that have not conceded any points at home up until today.”
“We wanted to win the match but we can’t be reproached for getting this result. It’s not a bad thing to close out the first half of the season with 50 points.” He added: “I have the feeling that tonight’s match will make us stronger.”
“We didn’t concede any counterattacks and our predisposition to recover possession and pressure their key players requires absolute concentration.”
“We weren’t as quick with our ball circulation and we weren’t as dynamic. However, in these types of matches you can’t take anything away from your opponent.”
"Other day, Messi, played 30 minutes and this Saturday, 45. We wanted him to play less but Iniesta’s injury changed our plans. Atlético Madrid’s defensive set-up is hard to break, even for him.”
"In footballing terms we improved over time. In terms of points, I want to be champions in the summer, not in the winter, but reaching this point in the season with 50 points is good.”
Diego Simeone:
"We have a great amount of respect for Barcelona but there is a small difference of some €400million between us."
"We fought – with the weapons we have at our disposal, and that's a good thing."
"With this group of players, who give their lives in every match, we are still able to keep dreaming – taking it game by game."
"They struggle against us, just as we do against them."
"The secret is down to the hard work our forwards do – without their efforts, it's impossible to function as a team in these sorts of situations."
"Today, we played with a 4-4-2 formation with (David) Villa and Costa working flat out, that shows how committed the team is."
