Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was cautious but positive after Wednesday night's 1-0 Copa del Rey quarterfinal first-leg win at home to Atletico Madrid.
Although Barca had more of the possession throughout, the only goal in the tight and tactical game came when Blaugrana star Lionel Messi knocked home the rebound after his own penalty had been saved by Atletico keeper Jan Oblak.
The one-goal advantage and clean sheet appear to give the Catalan side a clear advantage ahead of next Wednesday's return at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. But while their coach was willing to admit at his post-game news conference that he was happy with how the game had gone, he still claimed the tie remained very much in the air.
"It is a very positive result," said Enrique. "I am very content with the result, it is a fair result, and we are optimistic as we prepare for the return game. Knowing the rival, their coach, and knowing how they have behaved over recent seasons, I see it as 50-50 still. Despite what we have achieved today, our objective will be to go to the Calderon and win the game."
Atletico began the game with strike pair Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann, who caused Real Madrid such problems as Atletico progressed from the last 16 last week. However, Barca's defence gave up very few opportunities and both opposition starting strikers were replaced, something which Enrique said gave him particular pleasure.
"The team is defending very well," he said. "We consider that key to resolve our games. We needed to be compact in all phases of play, in defence too as they can do you damage in counters or set pieces. The teams who win trophies must be good both in attack and defence. United with the quality that teams have in attacking areas, they must defend as a block."
Barca's attackers had dazzled when Atletico were beaten 3-1 at the Camp Nou recently. Enrique put the difference down to Diego Simeone's side defending better this time around.
"I am very happy with the attack today too," he said. "The last game against them was very spectacular. Today I feel they defended better, but we found very good solutions, on both wings, causing them problems by circulating the ball. Against a team who sit back and defend well it is always difficult, but we kept faith in what we were doing, and in the end we got reward I see as just."
It was another difficult night however for Luis Suarez, who again linked up well with his teammates and caused his markers problems, but who blazed over when presented with a relatively simple chance to score in the first half.
"I have maximum confidence in Suarez," Enrique countered when asked about the Uruguayan striker's frustration. "Maybe he had not the luck to score, but he has fixed their centre-halves well, was always causing danger near their area, and was in position to shoot at goal. He will score goals for sure, there are no doubts with him."