Iraola: "The key was not conceding the second and getting to the end alive"

MADRID, 18 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Rayo Vallecano's coach, Andoni Iraola, celebrated his team's improvement in the second half of their Tuesday match against Atlético de Madrid and believes that "the key" to achieving the draw was not conceding 2-0 and improvement in the second half.

"In the second half we advanced the lines a lot and they were waiting for us a little further back, and we were able to have the ball more time to think. It is not easy to attack Atlético and the key was not conceding the second and reaching the end alive "Iraola pointed out in the press conference after the match.

The one from Usurbil pointed out that they had "two or three very clear chances" in the second half, but considered the 1-1 "fair". "We tied at the end and they could have made us 2-0. They were better in the first half and we were in the second. It seemed that the prize was not coming and it came at the last minute", he admitted.

The coach of the Vallecano team believed that they were "too much" wrong in the first half by wanting to start the game "from behind". "We made mistakes and it wasn't pressure to try to make mistakes so many times near our goal," he explained.

"In addition, it was difficult for us to win the duels in the middle with Witsel and Kondogbia, but in the second we have managed to win more duels there, the height of the team has been better, which has allowed us to start the game in their field and be able to attack much better and, above all, reduce errors, which although there were, did not cost us such clear chances", added Iraola.

The ex-soccer player also praised "the very complete game" of Radamel Falcao. "In the first half he gave us oxygen and in the second we were closer to the area and chances came. He was tired at the end, but we didn't need him to make great efforts," the Colombian stressed.

Finally, the Basque coach stressed that "the only game" at home where they have been "really wrong" was in Almería. "In San Mamés the team competed very well and in El Sadar we lost in discount. This type of game, with more twists and turns, we can do well and we have to try to compete in all scenarios. This point is worth the same as the Getafe (last matchday) and although we didn't compensate for it, at least we got one back," he said.