Statements from Manuel Pellegrini:
 
“It was a well deserved draw.  We didn’t deserve being a goal down in the first half, as it was harder for us in the second half with Madrid’s powerful attacking display.  But we were able to score at the end, and take away a point from this match, that, as the results show, was even between both teams throughout”.

“We knew our potential in our set pieces, but Madrid was able to stop us.  We’ve had to learn Madrid’s attacking style, which led us to have more options at the end of the game”.
 
“Regardless of what we’ve done tonight, we’ll keep playing and believing in what we do.  There were high expectations for the level of the team, and there are still matches to play and goals to score, against important rivals who have the same objectives as us.  A good result here gives us even more incentive”.
 
“This year we played a great Cup game, but we let it slip away.  Tonight we played an equal game against Real Madrid.  This I think has been our main achievement”.
 
“The team is completely focused on the race for European positions, and the point we’ve earned tonight is invaluable.  We played well with the ball, with several chances to score, showing the potential that we’ve got as a team”.