BARAJA: “IT WAS A PITY NOT TO HAVE TAKEN THE THREE POINTS”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja spoke to the media after his side’s goalless draw with CA Osasuna.

“I think the result is fair, even though we had more control and tried to create dangerous chances. We got to the final third well, but we lacked some clarity in the final part of the field. For me, that was the difference. When you have the ball, you have to try to get to the final third with more clarity to be able to score a goal. It wasn't our best game. We lacked a bit of energy. The evening was dull, very hot and somewhat muggy. The pitch didn't help us either. When we had advantageous situations on the counterattack to get in from the outside, the ball stopped still. Sometimes, when things don't go your way, you have to take it as positive to get another point, even though what we wanted was to win.”

He's a player who gives you a lot in this type of game, where there is control and you can cross in to him. He's always in the area, he's a striker who finishes chances. In the last part of the game we looked to see if we could get some crosses or some balls up field so that he could find a goal. But today he didn’t have that luck.”

“They are two sides who are totally different in terms of their model. We did a great job against Girona, but that game is already in the past. I focus on today, which was evenly matched and one action could have changed it. It happened to us the other day, when we scored that goal that filled us with energy and confidence. Today we did not have that precision in the final metres.”

“We thought that there were situations that could give us the possibility of finding André between the lines, due to Osasuna’s shape, and then play to those on the outside. Javi Guerra has different characteristics, he is more of a passer and a runner.”

“We had just 1 point out of 15, from five games against great teams. Now we have had two games with 4 points out of 6, which is a change of dynamic. I am not satisfied with today's result, but I am satisfied with the effort. The players gave everything and it was a shame not to have been able to get the three points. Whenever you cannot win, you have to settle for a point. It is not enough, but you have to value where we are coming from. It’s two clean sheets in a row. The fans have been behind the team and pushed us until the end. Osasuna also had a good game.”

“There is a long way to go before then. We are grateful that the Mexico national team have invited us to this match and we will try to represent Valencia CF as the club deserves.”

“Hugo was coming along according to schedule and we thought there was no risk with him. He has to get up to speed, and that is picked up by playing games. The feeling we have is that the injury situation with him is over. Fran had been out for a long time and it is normal that he is lacking things on his return. It is difficult to come back after 5 months out, but the only way to get into shape is by playing. Getting players back is always positive.”

“Osasuna tried to drag the game out and make us desperate. In the first half we lacked a bit of the energy that we had at the start of the second half. It was hot, humid, we were a bit tired from Saturday's game. Those are not excuses, but we didn't have the rhythm we needed in the first half. The start of the second half was the best part of the game, along with the final part. There was a spell in the middle where Osasuna went forward and created some chances. We tried to do our best, to the extent of our possibilities.”

“We'll see how we do. The feeling today is that the players had recovered well. We are always open to making rotations and for everyone to feel involved. Today we only made one change, but we have to be prepared to play at a good level when it's time to perform.”