Diego Simeone insisted Atletico Madrid had produced one of their best displays this season in Wednesday's goalless Champions League draw with Club Brugge.
Atleti recorded 21 shots to Brugge's five as they dominated at the Civitas Metropolitano, but their poor European form continued as they failed to make the breakthrough.
The result ensured Brugge will progress to the Champions League's knockout stages for the first time in their history, but Atletico's chances of joining them are in doubt after taking just four points from four games in Group B.
Atleti have now failed to score in five of their last six Champions League matches, including each of their last three, but Simeone refused to criticise their performance.
"We had important situations, well generated, we played one of the best games of this season, due to our rhythm, intensity, the rival," Simeone said. "Many good things were seen, but the goal did not come.
"Morata's chance is the one that remains in all of our minds, but the goalkeepers are here to stop and the players are here to be forceful or not.
"This round we did things very well, better than in the first leg against them. I keep a lot of good things, honestly."
However, with Atletico rounding off their Group B campaign with tough tests against Porto and Bayer Leverkusen, Simeone is under no illusions as to what is now required.
"The classification was complicated, and we are in a place where the only good thing is that we have to win both games," he added.
Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was the star of the show on Wednesday, denying Atleti on nine occasions.
The former Liverpool shot-stopper has now made 14 saves across two appearances against Atleti in the Champions League this season – the most any goalkeeper has made against a single opponent without conceding in a single campaign since records began (in 2003-04).
Speaking to Club RTL after the match, Mignolet said helping Brugge to the knockout stages ranked among the highlights of his career, saying: "I have already done a lot of things, but it was an incredible feeling with the team. A first in the history of the club. It's a great moment.
"We needed everything to keep the clean sheet today. I had a good match, I made my saves but it was just necessary to keep the clean sheet."
Conor Gallagher shelving Chelsea future thoughts to focus on England and Euro 2024
Conor Gallagher is parking any thoughts about his Chelsea future to focus on England's bid for Euro 2024 glory in Germany.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been linked with a Stamford Bridge exit amid reports the Blues might cash in to ease their Profit and Sustainability rules situation, with any sale for Gallagher classed as 100 per cent profit due to the fact he came through the academy.
Tottenham and Aston Villa are among those to have been linked with a move for Gallagher, who was one of Chelsea's more consistent performers in a topsy-turvy 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
However, Gallagher - chosen for a second successive major tournament - is not allowing himself to look beyond the Euros as Gareth Southgate's men prepare to begin their Group C campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
In quotes reported by BBC Sport, Gallagher said: "I'm a Chelsea player right now and I'm just thinking about England and the tournament.
"It's not difficult. I'm away with England and I couldn't be happier with the position I'm in.
"I've just been focusing on England. This is the most important thing right now for me and the country.
"I'm hoping I can help the team more on the pitch in this tournament."
Seattle Sounders v Minnesota United: Ramsay relishing 'difficult' road trip
Eric Ramsay is looking forward to the challenge Minnesota United face when they travel to Seattle Sounders in the MLS on Saturday.
Minnesota are third in the Western Conference, having lost just one of their last nine matches in the competition.
With leaders Real Salt Lake just four points in front of them, the Loons are looking to keep on the pressure, but they have never earned a point when travelling to Seattle.
However, Ramsey is confident his team can put that history behind them after watching them rise to challenges throughout the season.
"It's a challenge that we can go and meet head-on," he said. "We've met challenges all the way through this season in that way.
"I can only imagine it's a positive, if anything. I said to the group that every time they've been asked to rise to the occasion, largely they've done that.
"Going to a place like that, where we obviously find it difficult - we have a big few days that could arguably define the upcoming period."
Meanwhile, Seattle have won just one of their last five outings and sit outside the playoff places in the table.
Captain Stefan Frei admitted it is tough to look on the bright side after their poor run, but is hopeful they can get themselves out of trouble.
"Finding positive things has been hard this year. Finding frustration is very easy," said Frei. "Finding negatives is very easy.
"But you cannot succumb to that because no good will come from it. You've got to keep trying to find positives and, if not, create them so that we can all find a way out of this hole. Even as an individual, to find a way through it, so you can help the rest of the team."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Stefan Frei
Seattle conceded the game-winning goal to Kansas City in the 85th minute on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat.
The Sounders have allowed a result-changing goal in the last 10 minutes five times this season, including in three of their last four regular-season matches (two equalizers, one winner). Stefan Frei will be aiming to avoid conceding another late goal on Saturday.
Minnesota United – Hassani Dotson
Dotson scored just his second goal of the season in Minnesota's 1-1 draw with FC Dallas last time out. Only five players for the Loons have netted more times than him this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
The Sounders have won all eight of their home matches against Minnesota United (incl. playoffs). The longest home winning streak by one team over another in MLS play (incl. playoffs) is nine straight, done five times, most recently by Philadelphia Union against D.C. United (2015-22).
Six of Seattle's last eight home MLS matches have ended in draws (W1 L1), including the last three in a row. Dating back to last June, the Sounders have split the points in 10 of their last 15 home league games.
Meanwhile, Minnesota have lost only one of their last nine regular-season matches (W5 D3) following a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday. The Loons enter their 17th match of the season with just three defeats this year after having never had fewer than five losses in the first half of a full season before.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 41.6%
Draw – 26.7%
Minnesota United – 31.8%
Robertson aiming for 'legendary' status with Scotland at Euro 2024
Andy Robertson challenged Scotland to "make history" as they prepare for their Euro 2024 opener against hosts Germany on Friday.
Scotland qualified for their second consecutive European championships after a strong qualifying campaign saw them finish second in their group behind Spain.
In Euro 2020, Scotland were knocked out at the end of the group stage having earned just one point from their three games.
Now, Robertson has urged the Tartan Army to become the first side in the nation's history to make the knockout stages of the competition, despite the tough test ahead of them.
"We know that's what's at stake," said Robertson in a press conference. "We've got a lot of incentives, but one is becoming that legendary squad - that has to drive us forward.
"We have to be at our best and if we can do that, who knows where we'll be come 23 June.
"We don't want to have any regrets this time. What's the worst that can happen? We go on to a long list of teams that haven't made it out the group, or we put ourselves in a position to make history.
"We're excited by the challenge, we're excited about what's ahead, and if we perform the way I know we can perform, then I'm confident we can make history."
Steve Clarke is the first Scotland manager to lead the team out in two consecutive Euros, and he is confident his team can block out the noise surrounding the fixture and get a positive result.
"One of the mantras I've had is respect everyone and fear no-one," Clarke said. "We know they're a good team, but hopefully, we can show everyone we're a good team as well.
"We're proud we've been able to do back-to-back tournaments and hopefully, by the end of this, we'll be even more proud at having done something a bit more special."
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