Enrique Cerezo wanted to clear things up before the Porto game. He thinks it is vital that they win to get into the Europa League, and he downplayed the significance of getting knocked out of the Champions League.
Enrique Cerezo, as always, spoke to the media at midday before the Champions League game. This time it was with Atletico Madrid already out of the biggest European competition.
"We didn't think about this happening. It's true that in recent years we have always got passed the group stage except twice. We've been knocked out of the group stage twice in 12 years, and we won the Europa League both times", he said to the media.
Therefore, he said that the game against Porto was "really important, even more so than the reverse fixture", because Atletico have the chance to "qualify for the Europa League".
One of the problems that Atletico are up against is the loss of income after not being in the knock-out stages: "You're sports not economic journalists. It's our business, and the money we don't have is our problem. For us, what is important is to win this Tuesday, and fight for the Europa League".
"What happens this Tuesday is a question of prestige and to go through. I'll repeat it again. In 12 years, we've got out the group 10 times. In those other two years, not getting through has not caused problems", Cerezo affirmed.
Therefore, the Atletico President does not understand the criticism: "We don't understand any of it, me the least. We've started this season well, we're going through a rough patch trying to play in the Europa League, but over the last 12 years, everything's gone well. When something goes wrong, we start a fresh page. We've got to try and qualify for the Europa League. What's important is that we have a great team and a great manager".
"Joao? I'm not the manager, and I don't make the team-sheet, and I think that he plays those he thinks to be most worthy. I don't think any manager wants to lose a match", Cerezo finished.