We deserved to beat Sevilla - Simeone

02/02/2013 9:10:00 AM

El Cholo believes his side were deserving victors against the Sevillanos but admits the tie is still evenly-balanced ahead of the second leg at the Pizhuan

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone feels his team were worthy winners over Sevilla on Thursday night.

The Rojiblancos claimed a 2-1 win over the Andalusian outfit which sees them gain the advantage ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final return leg.

The Madrid giants secured victory thanks to two goals from the penalty spot from Diego Costa while the visitors' away goal also came from the spot courtesy of Alvaro Negredo.

“The result is fair and deserved because we finished the game well, it was a good match,” said Simeone at full time.

“We were at our best in the first half and then after the reaction to their equaliser in the second. But, for Sevilla’s goal, we conceded because we were in a rush to score at the other end.

“The tie is now 50-50 for each team. The penalties? They were all adjudged to apparently be handballs, and on the cards I cannot judge.”

Despite seeing his side defeated, Sevilla boss Unai Emery was left satisfied given that his team ended the match with just nine players.

“The 2-1 is deserved, but when it was 1-1 we were very controlled. The penalty and second red card has meant that we had to take this as a good result for the return leg," he told a press conference after the match.

“From my position it is very difficult to assess whether or not the plays were all penalties.

“I've seen stronger calls and I’ve seen lighter punishments too, but I do not want to judge anyone, I could not see the moves clearly.