Bordalás: “It's a tough day. It’s a pity because we had a magnificent first half”

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás spoke in his post-match press conference after the team suffered defeat against Atletico Madrid on Matchday 22

It's a tough day because of how the match went. Is it the verification that this team lacks players?

It's a tough day. It’s a pity because we had a magnificent first half. Atletico Madrid hardly generated chances, we were the better side and we went into the break 0-2 up. They made changes, and they looked to cut the gap. We controlled things well until it caught up with us. We have players who had played Sunday, Wednesday and a third game today. We were forced to make changes. The players who came on tried to help, but we paid for their inexperience. They still have a long way to go to be able to compete in these types of games.

Do you think that the team backed off because you asked them too, or because Atletico pressed and the youngsters didn’t cope?

The team backed off due to Atletico's pressing, and because our strength was diminishing. The team put in a great effort in the first half. If you compare Atletico's squad with ours, they made changes and brought freshness into their team. We lacked authority in the final moments. It happened to us against Real Madrid, against Espanyol and again tonight. The team urgently need help. If that doesn't come, then we'll have a bad time.

Are you aware of any reinforcements that are close to arriving?

I don’t know. Today is January 22nd and there are few days left. Let's hope that they arrive. I don't know which players, but let's trust that players will arrive that are befitting of the level of Valencia CF. Players have to arrive who improve us. If they don't improve us, then it doesn't make sense.

Little blame can be attributed to this squad, but they have limits. What explanation have the club given you for reinforcements not arriving?

They say that they are working on it. That is what the club are transmitting to me and I trust that until the last moment. That is what I can say.

You have said since the summer that reinforcements are needed. What have the club told you about why they haven’t come in?

I don't know the reasons. Valencia CF is an historic club, and if you compare squads today, the difference is huge. The players give everything, but we have verified that when we have played with teams from mid-table upwards, we are lacking many things. We have to be realistic and clear. We cannot turn our backs on the reality. When I hear people talk about Europe, I have to think of other things. LaLiga is very competitive and Atletico, with the squad they have, had one victory in six games. It is very difficult to be among the best. We are where we have to be. We would like to be higher up the table, but what happened to us today was not the first time it has happened to us.

Are there no explanations as to why the club are not signing?

They say that it is being worked on. I don't know the reasons. The club see it and the needs of the squad are not lost on them.