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Strategist Manuel Pellegrini hopes that Diego Forlan's goal in the 45th minute of the first UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match with Inter Milan will turn the tide.
The Spanish club lost the first match after goals from Brazilian Adriano and Nigerian Obafemi Martins.
"It was very important to score early and we managed to do that. Moreover, this is an away goal, which has double significance, so we hope it will be crucial in the return leg," said M. Pellegrini.
Despite the interrupted series of 11 European matches without a loss, the coach was satisfied with the team's performance and did not blame his players.
"We fought as equals, coped well with Inter, especially considering that we played without several key players (three players were disqualified - ed. note), and others had just returned from injuries," commented M. Pellegrini. "We scored a goal, hit the crossbar once, conceded a dubious goal, and could have earned an 11-meter penalty."
"It's a good result, but it's very dangerous. I don't like losing matches, but there are still 90 minutes left in this tie," said the Chilean.
Meanwhile, coach Roberto Mancini was pleased with how the team reacted to the early conceded goal.
"It wasn't easy after such a start to the match. At the beginning, we lacked concentration, but the early conceded goal woke us up, and we played very well," Mancini rejoiced. "We have a slight advantage before the return leg, but we will have to work very hard in Spain. They are a very dangerous attacking team, very mobile on the field."
