Spartak Moscow FC coach Valery Karpin said that a crushing 5-1 defeat to FC Porto the 2011 Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday was entirely his fault.
"I am definitely the only one to blame," Karpin said. "A coach is always to blame when his team loses. [The Club's] shareholders will decide what to do about this."
He said the team only played well in the first half.
"We played well and on a level footing with the opponent in the first 20-25 minutes. We had some good combinations but unfortunately did not score. After that the team stalled for some reason," Karpin said.
Porto trainer Andre Villas-Boas said he was pleased with the result and described Spartak as a "very dangerous opponent."
The return match will be held on April 14 at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
PORTO, April 8 (RIA Novosti)
