Giráldez and Jutglá laugh at the end of the match.
Claudio Giráldez credited his team’s victory over Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano (0-1), acknowledging that the Rojiblancos “played a very good match and had a spectacular season.”
“They were better. Atlético is a great team. It’s hard to stop them. They have a very high tempo. It cost us to adjust and then maintain our structure. We knew how to wear them down. In the first half, we pressed high, and in the second half, we held on. Atlético played a very good match and had a spectacular season,” said the Celta coach.
“In the Copa final, they were superior and only lost on penalties. They reached the Champions League semifinals. That’s a huge achievement. Today we competed against one of the best teams in Europe. I already told Cholo that,” the manager added.
Regarding the match and Borja Iglesias’ goal, Giráldez noted: “Borja is a player with a gift for finishing and keeping calm in the area when others get nervous. He worked hard throughout the game. In that final zone, he’s decisive. I’m glad he’s scored in three consecutive matches.”
On the overall performance, the coach described the win as “hard-fought and painful.” “It was very painful against a great team. I’m very happy with how we performed in big stadiums. It cost us more to win the ball back than we would have liked. We defended with great solidarity in a low block. We’ve won at the Bernabéu and at the Metropolitano, which speaks well of our defensive block, our low block, and our ability to take our chances in big venues.”
About Celta’s impressive away form, he said: “There’s a mental aspect that didn’t start now, but last season. The composure away from home, controlling opponents’ surges. Europe has also given us maturity in that regard. That’s the explanation for that huge number of points. Being where we are is a privileged situation,” he concluded.
Clash between Zaragoza and Valladolid fans after the match.
