Academica Coimbra boss Pedro Emanuel claimed his team showed Atletico Madrid too much respect in their Europa League clash on Thursday.
The Portuguese side went down 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon but Emanuel felt his team had underperformed because they were in awe of their more illustrious opponents.
“We went out onto the pitch with too much respect for the opposition and we did not play the way we wanted to,” he told the post-match Press conference.
“We allowed them to dominate the midfield and gave them the opportunity to do what they do best.
“In the second half we conceded twice and despite getting one a goal back weren’t able to snatch a draw, although it wasn’t all bad.
“We managed to stop them getting balls up to Diego Costa, but everyone in the Atletico Madrid squad possesses tremendous quality.
“However, I suppose it was normal the respect we showed them as there was a great deal of difference between the sides when it comes to European experience.”
