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Simeone: Chelsea allowed Atlético no way through

"We tried wide, we tried inside, but couldn't get through," said Diego Simeone after Club Atlético de Madrid were held 0-0 by Chelsea FC, José Mourinho satisfied with the draw.

Simeone: Chelsea allowed Atlético no way through
Simeone: Chelsea allowed Atlético no way through ©UEFA.com

Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
It was a tough game, a Champions League semi-final in which no one could take the advantage. We could not score the goal that would have decided the match.

I wanted to have more options in midfield [by starting Diego there], to assist [Diego] Costa. I think we're looking for alternatives. [José] Sosa did well, Arda [Turan] did well. In the end it was 0-0. It was an intense game with everybody fighting to get through to the final, but Chelsea have the advantage with this draw.

Both teams tried to play in the way they thought best. They defended well. We tried wide, we tried inside, but couldn't get through. The result leaves the tie open. Now to see what happens next week. We're playing for something great.

José Mourinho, Chelsea manager
Petr Čech's season is over[with a dislocated shoulder]. He won't play again this season, but I hope he can at least celebrate something with us. For John [Terry, substituted in the second half with an ankle injury], we will have to reach the final for him to play again.

I think the result reflects the game. [Thibaut] Courtois hasn't had a difficult save to make, nor has [Mark] Schwarzer. It was a match for men: tough, tactical, obviously with more possession for Atlético. But with all the problems we had before and during the game we finished the match with this result and we will play the game of our lives at home.

I wanted to win 5-0 and be in the final, but knew that would be very difficult. It is not easy leave this ground without losing and come out with a draw. It is not a great result, but a result that lets us play our final at Stamford Bridge.

[Gary] Cahill did a great job, David [Luiz] started in midfield so it was not easy for him to step back to centre-back [when John Terry went off]. Ashley Cole was amazing after weeks without playing. Nando [Torres] was unbelievable. Every player gave everything. So I am very pleased with them.

Against Milan [Atlético had already] won the first leg, Barça [they drew] 1-1 away, today was the first time they had played a match here where they were trying to win. Nobody, well not us, started the game thinking of 0-0. But it goes in a certain direction and you feel you must be safe and not concede. We had a few chances to score, but we didn't. So we come away with a result which means the tie will be decided at Stamford Bridge.

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