Vicente Moreno says his side’s second half performance during the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid was a vast improvement on the opening 45 minutes.
Take Kubo struck the post following the restart as RCD Mallorca pressed for an equaliser which would ultimately fail to come to fruition, although Moreno believes his side made things difficult for themselves against a side of quality.
“We knew Atletico Madrid had potential and is showed, especially in the first half,” he said at this post-match press conference. “Regardless of their quality, in the first half we were not ourselves and this was an indifference which we made up for in the second half. We’re in the same category as the rest and we don’t need to have an excessive respect to our rivals.
“Lapses like the first half will make everything more difficult and you have to take that lesson into the next game and solve the doubts that can be had - I’m convinced that we can do it. In the four games prior we offered a very high level and all teams have good games and bad games, including FC Barcelona or Real Madrid. In the first half we had too much respect for Atletico Madrid.
“We tell ourselves we must live with defeat but we have to rebel and be mavericks. If we have something, it is that the team is responsive. We’re not accustomed to this dynamic but we know the situation and we have mature personalities.”
Despite being disappointed by the loss, Moreno says his side can bounce back with the help of support like the evening’s sold-out Son Moix.
“We believe that we have a good team but if you want to win against Atletico Madrid, you have to go to the limit. The people know this is a difficult journey and if we don’t go to the limit or have the support of the fans, we will not reach our objectives. I’m confident that this team can manage a bad day or a brief lapse, like the first half.”
