“The aim was to get off to a better start than last season. We did just that. The result is very positive. It’s a shame we conceded that goal early in the first half, and we made quite a few technical errors. As soon as we got into the game, we were in control. We had clear-cut chances, as did Real, but I want to congratulate all the players because they gave everything they had to secure this draw, which is very important for the rest of the Champions League campaign. They showed real mental strength and character. They believed in themselves right to the end, as did the players who came off the bench. They did what was needed to ensure the team secured this point. We even had the chance to take the lead, though we didn’t manage it, but I’m very proud and very pleased with the performance we put in tonight.”
“It's a valuable point. It was a good match, with plenty of one-on-one battles. It was tough at the start, but we fought hard to secure the draw. We’re a really close-knit team – that’s our strength. We learn from our mistakes in every match, which helps us perform better and better. The penalty I won? I asked for the ball played in behind because I knew I was quicker than my opponent. So I tried to play smart by letting the ball go past me and using my body to block, which led to the foul.”
