Valencia coach Rubén Baraja said the team was not at the required level against Celta de Vigo to advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey but said the 1-3 draw should help them learn.
“We didn’t do well. The start was good, but they took advantage of two situations that are not normal at the Mestalla: a corner where we could not decide and rushing a penalty. They were done, but it was more our fault. “We made a mistake and we gave them a chance to score,” he said at a press conference.
Baraja said his team had “excitement and desire” but they also lacked organization. “We are a young team coming forward and from 0-2 we were in a hurry, there was no stopping, and in this back and forth we were disorganized. Celta know how to take advantage of the opportunities better,” admitted he. .
“At 0-2 in the 15th minute, it was very difficult to respond. We had a chance to make it 2-2, but when you don’t succeed, it’s difficult. We lacked strength in both areas. We had trouble because we didn’t have continuity , we want to score the second goal before the first,” he said.
The Valencian coach said he was sad because he wanted the game to be different and have options. “It hurts me, I would have liked a different kind of game but we can’t expect to go through the game we played. We’re sorry we didn’t do what the game asked for, it wasn’t our best day,” he said.
“We are upset because we see the fans are excited, we were doing well and it is a great disappointment. We have to move on and think about the next game because because of a bad game like this we cannot stop appreciating many things well that we do in the League,” he added.
Regarding the lineup, Baraja said that “except” for the goal change, in which he lined up Jaume for Giorgi Mamardashvili, he chose players who regularly have minutes. “Jesús Vázquez, Yarek and Guerra are playing. “Researching something knowing that we played at a good level three days ago… The reality is that we have not been good, we have to accept the criticism, but I don’t think it’s because of the lineup,” he said.
“The locker room is tired, I think, because they made a great effort, and sad because a great atmosphere of enthusiasm was created, which is what this team provides. “They are sad because we didn’t do the must be done to have options,” he concluded.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
