As the Chelsea players began to make sense of the dramatic conclusion to Tuesday night's Champions League action in the Spanish capital, the general verdict was credit to the opposition but also satisfaction in a first target achieved.

The Didier Drogba-powered 2-2 draw was enough to continue the Blues' record of always making the knockout stage of the competition but had it not been for Sergio 'Kun' Aguero's stoppage-time equaliser, the team would already be on the verge of securing top spot in Group D, with the implication that has when the last 16 names are pulled out the pots.

However should an away draw against a side from a strong league who were desperate for a result themselves be considered a let-down? Not according to the Chelsea players.

'It is really frustrating when you concede a goal like this at the end after all the effort we produced, but it was a good game,' said Drogba, who believed Chelsea were at least in control of most of the game, if not playing near our best.

'I think we could have done better with the wall and maybe could have avoided the free kick as well.

'Madrid had also to win and they gave everything and even when they scored the first goal, they kept pushing. We then played better and scored two goals but it was not enough.'

'We could have kept the ball better at the end but I think also Atlético Madrid playeda good game,' agreed Salomon Kalou who started the game in a deeper, supporting role to Drogba until replaced by Nicolas Anelka 20 minutes from the end. That was after the home side had gone one goal up.

'Every team in the Champions League is good and that is why it is one of the best competitions to play in. I think we have shown that we have a strong team. Even if this was a difficult game, we still came back with a goal.'

'We didn't play very well but we still showed that we can score any minute,' continued Michael Ballack, himself a substitute on the hour.

'Even if we are 1-0 down, the team has shown it has the confidence to change a game from the last weeks when we played very good.

'We were a little bit unlucky to concede to make it 2-2 but I think the result is fair and that is the minimum we needed - a draw - and now we are looking forward to fighting for first place.'

Ballack also had words for the double scorer.

'Didier is absolutely fantastic and the second goal was world class. It shows you can't lose him in any moment of the match. He is one of the best, for sure, he shows it week after week and that is why he is playing for Chelsea.'

The next challenge for Drogba and co. is to breach the Manchester United defence when the two clubs that have shared the last five Premier League titles go head-to-head on this weekend.

'We have to play for first place in our group which is very important but now we can think about Sunday,' said Kalou. 'You always want to play these games against Man United, Madrid, all the big clubs. That is why when you play for Chelsea you know you always need to do your best because you are going to face strong opponents.'

'We did everything that we could against Madrid and now this next game is important for us,' added Drogba.

'I think we have to show different qualities, better than we showed against Madrid.'

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