Michel takes blame for big defeat

Olympiacos Coach Michel says he is to blame for his side’s heavy defeat against Atletico Madrid, with their Champions League hopes in the balance.

The Greeks need to beat Malmo and Atletico to beat Juventus in Turin in the final round of group games to have any prospect of reaching the next stage.

Even then it would go down to goal difference between Olympiacos and the Old Lady and speaking after the 4-0 reverse at Vicente Calderon, the former Real Madrid midfielder asked for criticism to come his way, and not at his players.

“It’s a very tough loss. We had a bad night and the responsibility is mine,” he said, AS reports.

“This result and the sensations of Atletico speaks of the difficulty of the group and our merits. We can have great enthusiasm but Juventus and Atletico are on another level.

“We had a bad day. I can’t ask any more from my players. Perhaps there have been situations that we couldn’t control from the beginning.

“I can’t say that two of the goals were gifts from my players because people might think I’m evading responsibility and that’s not the case.

“Rather than work out the last day, maybe we have to think about taking a letter to Father Christmas.”

Michel also reacted to the jeers with which he was greeted by the Atletico fans, as a long-serving Madrid player.

“I don’t care. What I don’t like is when it’s members of my family [who are targeted], including children,” he replied.

Tags Michel Olympiacos
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