‘1-1 is no concern for Madrid’

Diego Lopez faced down two ‘dangerous’ Robin van Persie chances late on, but commented that a Real Madrid win last night would have been fairer.

Madrid were held to a 1-1 result in the home leg of their Champions League Last 16 clash with Manchester United, with Van Persie hitting the crossbar and then mis-hitting a volley past Lopez that Xabi Alonso cleared off the line.

“The last two Van Persie chances were the most dangerous, but we dealt with them,” reflected Lopez post-match.

“These matches are like that and we tried to do our best. The team did a great job everywhere on the pitch and created goal-scoring chances.

“A win would have been a fairer result. We wanted to win, the result could have been better, but I think everything is wide open and we go to Old Trafford with a good chance of going through.

“We knew they were a team that could score. We are not concerned with the 1-1 because we have the capacity. We have a lot of quality and in that sense we go there with the ambition of scoring.

“Barca and United return games to come? I think the team is used to these sorts of matches. We have two very nice matches to play and we will try everything to keep progressing.”

Last month, Lopez was struggling to displace Andres Palop in the Sevilla goal, before Iker Casillas’ injury saw Madrid bring him to the Bernabeu.

“It was all very fast. I know the club and I was lucky that things went well in the first few matches.

“I cleared my mind and came here wanting to work, and so I am. Most of all I am trying to enjoy these games. There is not other feeling but that of enjoyment.”

Tags Diego Lopez Manchester United
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