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Debutants continue remarkable run

Villarreal CF coach Manuel Pellegrini said he always believed his team would win through against FC Internazionale Milano, despite their first-leg defeat.

A second-half Rodolfo Arruabarrena header secured Villarreal CF a famous UEFA Champions League victory at El Madrigal over FC Internazionale Milano, delighting their coach Manuel Pellegrini and ensuring their fantastic run in their first season in the competition continued to the semi-finals. A typically controlled defensive display stifled the chief threats in the Inter side - who had been so potent in the first leg - allowing the outstanding Juan Román Riquelme to dictate much of the second half. The Argentinian playmaker supplied the cross for the decisive strike that propelled his team through on away goals.

Manuel Pellegrini, Villarreal coach
I was always confident we would knock out Inter - even after the first leg, an unfair defeat. As coach I know my players well, and I knew they were not beaten, particularly because of what they had done before that match. For as long as tonight's game was level, we had to be anxious, but once we scored we relaxed, and we played better with the ball, especially in attack. In the second half we were much better than them. I have no preference for the semi-final, but we must try to enjoy it. This is not a dream, it is not a miracle. We made it happen through hard work.

Roberto Mancini, Inter coach
In the first half there were few opportunities for either team. It was tight. But in the second half we did not perform and therefore did not deserve to win. I take responsibility for this defeat. Being out of the Champions League is not good for Inter. Maybe in Milan we deserved to score another goal, and if we had won 3-1, things would have been different tonight. I'm not happy but I will try to get over it.

Diego Forlán, Villarreal forward
This is a historic moment for us. We have to enjoy it. We were better than Inter and we deserved to win. The key was that we were concentrated for 90 minutes, because they had a very good attack, players with real skill up front.

Juan Pablo Sorín, Villarreal defender
We are so happy. We knew it would be a very difficult match and we have to enjoy this result. We are a team built on solidarity, hunger for success and unity.

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