SPORTING PORTUGAL 1-0 ATLÉTICO | KOKE
Koke: "If it was up to me, I'd hand Oblak a blank cheque..."
Atlético are in the semis: "Sporting put in a great game - especially in the first half; but we improved after the break and were calmer towards the end".
Koke and Saúl were full of praise for Jan Oblak, whose heroics kept Sporting Clube from turning last night's Europa League quarter final around as Atlético progress to the semi-finals.
Close quarter final tie
Being made to suffer in Lisbon: "Sporting put in a great game - especially in the first half; but we improved after the break and were calmer towards the end. Our opponents play too and want to win as much as we do, but overall, we are very happy to be in the semi-finals".
Oblak the saviour: "We're used to Jan putting in amazing performances. He's at a great level at this final stage of the season, let's hope he can stay at that level. If I was in charge of this club, I'd give Oblak a blank cheque so that he stays".
Sporting: "They've been in a difficult situation after the recent problems they've had, it's normal that they'd want to put in a great match, and we expected to be up against a strong Sporting who would be going for the game from the start; we had the odd chance on goal but it's not that easy - this is Europe and there are a lot of great teams".
Friday's draw: "I don't really mind who we get. We will have to put in two great games and show our rivals the greatest respect. However we are drawn, it's going to be a very finely-balanced tie".
Saúl: "Oblak is the best keeper in the world"
Agonizing return leg: "It was precisely the kind of game we anticipated - very difficult. We were a little wasteful with the ball but we reached our objective despite our struggles".
Oblak: "He is the best goalkeeper in the world, he keeps getting better and always helps us. I hopes he continues to improve but I'd rather he had less work to do".
Semi-final rivals: "First we need to get some rest and then think about Sunday's league game".
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|
| Upcoming matches |
|---|
