SAMPAOLI: "IT HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A GREAT DEAL OF NEGATIVITY"

Jorge Sampaoli was seen to be disheartened after what was a tough loss to take against Atlético de Madrid: "It was a tough blow because apart from not being up to the task, the team had moments where it could have narrowed the gap. We had a player sent off... it brought about a great deal of negativity".  

Although the team seemed to be on the right track, things have taken a turn for the worst: "We picked ourselves up at a time when the team had grown. Now, we're back to square one and we have pick ourselves up again". Of what little remains of this season, the team are still in contention for the Europa League: "It (the loss) doesn't get in the way. We have to face up to it, keep on improving and fixing the unforced errors. Today, the first two goals came from our own mistakes. What's next is to continue trying to improve the backline's organisation. We are a bit short in that area at the moment in terms of the players we have available but we are trying out players in different positions. We will work on it throughout the week so that it improves".