Portal Eurofootball.com presents the comments of the coaches of the teams that played in the UEFA Champions League yesterday.
Monaco 2-1 Valencia (aggregate result 3-4)
Leonardo Jardim, Monaco: We missed an early goal and it affected our rhythm, but we played a great second half. We were close - we just needed one more goal. We tried to press Valencia in the second half, but it wasn't enough. I am happy with my players, they gave everything.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Valencia: Today we executed the work that everyone in the club has been doing so far. Today, unlike yesterday, we are already in the Champions League. In the coming days, we will make decisions regarding new players. I also want to congratulate Monaco, who were great opponents. Today, two Champions League caliber teams played, I wish them luck in the Europa League.
Malmo 2-0 Celtic (aggregate result 4-3)
Age Hareide, Malmo: We worked a lot on set pieces - before the game, we had a closed training session and focused on them. I wouldn't say that Celtic were weak. Maybe we made them look weak. Our game plan was perfect - we tried to make more long passes than usual, and Markus Rosenberg and Niko Djurdičius did a great job up front. We had more good chances, and if anyone was successful in these matches, it was Celtic.
Ronny Deila, Celtic: It's very simple - we weren't even close to our potential. We looked very bad with the ball and didn't want it. We were scared and that is very, very disappointing. I can't single out one or two players, because the whole team was like that. We didn't realize our potential as a team and that is my responsibility.
Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 Skenderbeu (aggregate result 6-2)
Zoran Mamić, Dinamo: I want to congratulate my team on a great performance and result. This is a huge victory for us. The team reacted positively: even when we conceded a goal, we remained focused. We showed our strength and abilities. When we were down to ten, I had a lot of thoughts in my mind, but I wasn't very scared. I tried to stay positive. We deserved to be in the Champions League.
Mirel Josa, Skenderbeu: Dinamo is a great team, they deserve to move forward and I think they can achieve a lot in the next stage. We wanted to reach the group stage, so I regret that we couldn't do more in the two matches. I hoped we would be a threat to them, but we weren't. We had our chances, but we didn't take advantage of them, unlike our opponents.
Shakhtar 2-2 Rapid (aggregate result 3-2)
Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar: We advanced, but I am not satisfied with the team's performance, especially in the second half. We had many opportunities, but in the last third of the pitch, we couldn't find sharp passes. To be honest, I don't know if in all my career we ever had such luck - opponents could score twice in the last 10 minutes. I hope we will be more focused in the group stage.
Zoran Barisic, Rapid: First of all, I want to congratulate Shakhtar on their success. It's an unfair result for us, but I am proud of my team and fans. We did everything to achieve our goal, but luck was not on our side at the end of the match. We are a young and talented team - we will try to learn from this experience.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Basel (aggregate result 3-3, Maccabi wins on away goals)
Slaviša Jokanović, Maccabi: I am proud that the most powerful European teams will come to Israel thanks to us. We will try to strengthen ourselves for the group stage. I am happy for the players, my family, and also the fans. Now these matches are already part of history. This is a very important day for Israeli football. I believe in the spirit of my team, and with our fans, we are even stronger and braver.
Urs Fischer, Basel: There is not much to say - we didn't have much luck and couldn't find any weaknesses in Maccabi. What can I say about Eran Zahavi? He alone beat us in both matches. Maccabi defended well in both matches and caused us a lot of problems. It's painful, and we were not smart enough on the field. I wish Maccabi success in the Champions League.
