Gracia: "We prepared well to be mentally strong in the face of adversity"

Valencia CF coach Javi Gracia hailed his side's dedication and belief after they came from behind to beat Villarreal 2-1 at Mestalla on Matchday 26.

The win
"As regards our attitude, besides some recent games in which we have played badly, the team have always been characterised by our attitude and dedication through to the end of the game. Lately we have seen difficulties in matches in which we have come apart a little and allowed the opposition to have an easier time. Today we prepared well to be mentally strong in the face of adversity, and remained convinced that we could win. I think that this was a demonstration of the dedication of the team until the last minutes. It was what gave us the possibility of winning this difficult game."

Home form
"I think that this third home result shows that recently we have been coming through in matches at Mestalla. It's three wins in three games now, and hopefully that is the signal for us to continue with that strength in the next matches. We were able to win in the final minutes today, and I think that we showed that at home we are doing better than in our last two away games."

The importance of victory
"This was a game that we needed to win. We did that, and I'm very happy with how we did it and with the performance of everybody. I hope that it has the effect of making us more confident and happier -and that it helps us in the coming games. Jasper Cillessen kept us in the game when it was 0-1, and in the final minutes we were able to turn it around. The best thing is to focus on how we have to give our all in the next game."

Guedes
"I don't punish any player. I try to pick a team and I try to be fair to everybody. Gonçalo is a great player and today he was decisive in the minutes that he participated. Each player is different, but the credit doesn't go to the manager's handling of the player alone, but also the protagonist, the player. When fit, he will always help the team, whether he plays many or few minutes."

Controversy over the penalty
"I prefer not to comment on the referee. It is a difficult job and we are here to try, as much as possible, to help and be understanding. The action for the penalty is one that you see a lot, and sometimes it is given and sometimes not. The important thing is that the referees be clear and that those decisions be made in a uniform way, so that we all understand better when it is a penalty and when it is not."