Coach Phillip Cocu was calm afterwards, but nevertheless visibly beamed by reaching the next round of the UEFA Champions League. "These are those sparse evenings. When you start thinking back on it quietly later, all kinds of things are probably shooting through my head," a proud coach told me.
Cocu: 'Have always believed in it'
"During the match I was only concerned with what could happen. Both here and in Germany," said Cocu, who indicated at the press conference that he had also kept his players informed about the hits at VfL Wolfsburg - Manchester United. "That takes a lot out of a team, but they handled it fantastically. I'm proud of the team, we always had the belief that we could achieve something. You see then you are capable of great things. This can also be an example for other teams."
Support fans
Cocu also and again complimented the fans at Philips Stadium. "They constantly stood behind the team," he spoke in praise, "even when they were behind. That does something to a team and that does something to the opponents. It's great that, partly because of that, we were able to come back and score twice after the penalty. We showed a bit of determination." Cocu did not yet express a preference about an opponent. "That doesn't make much sense yet, we'll be facing a difficult team soon anyway. I'm just enjoying this moment for now."
Leonid Sloetsky: 'Very disappointing '
CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Sloetski was brief afterwards. Needless to say, the Russian was disappointed because of his team's European elimination, especially since he had given his team more chances for prior to the campaign. "It was a very disappointing evening," he opined. "After the draw, we thought we had a chance at the next round. Compared to last season, I think we had a better chance of European wintering. Unfortunately, it didn't work out."