Mixed emotions for Hughes
15 Sep 2006 - 09:42:17
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was pleased with his side's overall display in Thursday's UEFA Cup first round first leg tie against Red Bull Salzburg, but disappointed to concede a last-gasp goal in the 2-2 draw.
Rovers had come from behind to lead 2-1 thanks to goals by Robbie Savage and Benni McCarthybut were forced to settle for a draw when Marc Janko netted in stoppage-time.
"Obviously we're disappointed," Hughes admitted after the match. "There was a goal in the last few seconds, and from our point of view the tie should have been over by then.
"Because of that goal the tie is very much alive for both teams, although I'm still proud as we played exceptionally well. After going behind it was a good response from the players.
"Whenever you lose a goal away from home you want a response and we got it from a great free-kick from Robbie. There was another good one from Morten (Gamst Pedersen) soon after and that allowed Benni to do what he's good at by poaching our second.
"From that moment I felt we were comfortable for long periods, dictating the pace of the game until Salzburg came back into it at the end.
"You expect a little bit of pressure away from home, and when it comes to the end of a game, that's when you have to concentrate and be strong both physically and mentally.
"We'd put in a great amount of effort to get us into the position we were in, and we should have made sure the game was won. But Salzburg came back into it and they got their reward."
