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“Winning the group is a great achievement”

Machín highlights the role of the fans, and the team’s ability to react

The RCD Espanyol de Barcelona coach, Pablo Machín, paid tribute to the attitude of the players in the game against Ferencvaros and also highlighted the role played by the fans.

“Sometimes we speak about there being lots of mini games within a game, and this was an example of that. We played pretty well in the first half and deserved the equalizer. We controlled the game well and the team had no problems apart from the goal from the free kick that should have been dealt with better. In the second half they started better, they needed the victory and we were trying to soak up the pressure and hit them on the counter. Then came the bizarre penalty, that Diego saved well. The fatigue in the players was obvious, the pitch wasn’t the best, but the fans were brilliant. The team came back and were able to equalize”, he concluded

Machín said that “we have to celebrate the draw with the people that made the effort to be here. The team put in a great shift, it looked like we were going to lose, but we were able to get a point. Experience tells me that it’s not at all easy to pick up points away from home in Europe”. The Espanyol boss remarked that “The fact that Espanyol is in the hat for the next round is a great achievement, and worth celebrating but now we have to turn our attention to the league. It’s really important that the group shows desire, and that everyone gives their all - this will build the self-confidence that will bring us wins and points”.