Atletico apologizes to fans after Copa humbling by Recreativo
Source: Agencies |
January 8, 2010, Friday
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ATLETICO Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores and his players have apologized to their fans after they were humbled 0-3 at second-tier strugglers Recreativo Huelva in their Copa del Rey last 16, first leg on Wednesday.
Atletico's La Liga win over Sevilla last weekend had raised hopes of a revival after a poor start to the season, but it was two goals behind and down to 10 men inside half an hour against Recreativo, which is 15th in the second-division standings.
"The blame is all mine," defender Tomas Ujfalusi, who was shown a straight red card for a late tackle in the 20th minute, said on Atletico's Website. "I believe that the fault was mine because after the sending off everything was more difficult for the team," he added.
Sanchez Flores, brought in to replace the sacked Abel Resino in October, had some harsh words at the end of the match and said he would be looking to find players who did not let him down.
"I want to ask the forgiveness of the supporters for such a huge disappointment," he said. "At no point were we able to read the game. This is not what the history of Atletico Madrid is about, nor that of their fans."
Defender Alvaro Dominguez said the players needed to take a long, hard look at themselves and come up with ways of turning things around.
"It's impossible to explain how we let in so many goals," he said. "It's logical that our fans are upset and I am embarrassed at the way we played," he added. "But we are Atletico Madrid and we'll unite to try to turn this tie around."
Bruno Fornaroli finished off a sweeping move to give the home side the lead on 14 minutes before Ujfalusi was shown a straight red card for a late challenge.
The visitors' misery deepened when teenage midfielder Cedric brought Aitor down in the penalty area and Jeronimo Barrales scored from the spot.
Daniel Candeias added a deserved third for Recreativo in the second half.
Andres Guardado and Pablo Alvarez netted potentially crucial away goals to give Deportivo Coruna a 2-1 win at La Liga rival Valencia, while Villarreal surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 at struggling second-tier side Celta Vigo.
Atletico's La Liga win over Sevilla last weekend had raised hopes of a revival after a poor start to the season, but it was two goals behind and down to 10 men inside half an hour against Recreativo, which is 15th in the second-division standings.
"The blame is all mine," defender Tomas Ujfalusi, who was shown a straight red card for a late tackle in the 20th minute, said on Atletico's Website. "I believe that the fault was mine because after the sending off everything was more difficult for the team," he added.
Sanchez Flores, brought in to replace the sacked Abel Resino in October, had some harsh words at the end of the match and said he would be looking to find players who did not let him down.
"I want to ask the forgiveness of the supporters for such a huge disappointment," he said. "At no point were we able to read the game. This is not what the history of Atletico Madrid is about, nor that of their fans."
Defender Alvaro Dominguez said the players needed to take a long, hard look at themselves and come up with ways of turning things around.
"It's impossible to explain how we let in so many goals," he said. "It's logical that our fans are upset and I am embarrassed at the way we played," he added. "But we are Atletico Madrid and we'll unite to try to turn this tie around."
Bruno Fornaroli finished off a sweeping move to give the home side the lead on 14 minutes before Ujfalusi was shown a straight red card for a late challenge.
The visitors' misery deepened when teenage midfielder Cedric brought Aitor down in the penalty area and Jeronimo Barrales scored from the spot.
Daniel Candeias added a deserved third for Recreativo in the second half.
Andres Guardado and Pablo Alvarez netted potentially crucial away goals to give Deportivo Coruna a 2-1 win at La Liga rival Valencia, while Villarreal surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 at struggling second-tier side Celta Vigo.
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