NEWS | 03/01/2016 | Alberto Navarro (Valencia) | PHOTOGRAPHER: Ángel Martínez
"We looked to do everything we could to win the game", said Marcelo."We got ourselves ahead and they got a late equaliser. Losing a man made us work all the harder. Perhaps it feels like it should have been more because we had victory, and getting all three points to cut the gap, in our hands. But we put in a good display".
Physical toll
"We came out with real intensity, playing with a high line, and that allowed us to win the ball back in the opposition half and enjoy possession of the ball. But that takes its physical toll and it's tough to keep up that intensity for so many minutes, and Valencia took advantage of that and got the equaliser".
Sending-off
"You go a man down and the pysical effort you have to put in is doubled, you leave more space and the team finds the going a little bit tougher. The team showed that pride and character that the fans and this crest demand of us, and no more could have been asked of us in that regard".
Reducing the deficit at the top
"When you don't cut the gap you don't come away with the same feeling, but we wanted to start to the year by showing another side to us and I think that the team stood up to be counted at Mestalla and gave everything. There is still the whole second half of the season to go, a lot of games and a lot of points up for grabs. It can all change in a matter of weeks and we're going to do everything we can to close the gap".
Referee
"They don't make mistakes on purpose. They're human and they can make mistakes. Today there have been talking points in the game, such as the challenge on [Gareth] Bale in the penalty area, but sometimes you get them and others you don't, and it's not something to start getting into".
Keylor: "The team stood up to be counted with ten men".
"The coach has credit in the bank. It's not something that's down to us, but whoever the coach is he will always have the confidence of his players. We're going to keep on standing up to be counted and striving for balance and consistency".
Marcelo: "We didn't sit back at 0-1"
"We've come away from the game with positives and we're going to keep on standing up to be counted. We finished the game in the Valencia area and we're going to keep on fighting to make the most of our opportunities. We didn't sit back at 0-1. The way our opponents play also has an influence; we're not out there on our own. This league is the best in the world and the games are tough".
"We need to keep on improving and that means winning games and making the most of our opportunities. We looked to do everything we could to win the game. Keylor [Navas] is one of the best in the world and because of that he made the stop at the end".
Rafa Benítez
"We're right behind the coach, but we know that the players don't make the decisions. We're going to carry on fighting and standing up to be counted to keep on improving. You can make a change of coach and things might go well, but you can also do well without making a change".
Improvement
"In general the team have to keep on improving and that means winning games. We go into every game champing at the bit, well aware that we have to make the most of our opportunities. I don't want to give any excuses".
Keylor: "They equalised from a lapse at the end"
"They equalised from a lapse at the end but the team stood up to be counted with ten men and carried on looking for the win. We want to be in control for the whole game and try to play at the same level of intensity, but that's difficult. Valencia are very strong at home, they play good football and know when they need to wait and when to attack. They're situations that arise in matches and you have to be able to come through the moments when the going gets tough too".
Form
"I'm relaxed, I'm working hard and giving it my all in every game. I always try to do well, we're a team and here it's not a case of Keylor saving the team but rather a case of us all playing well. Right now things aren't coming off for us in some games but we have to keep focusing on the fact that we're all working in the same direction to be challenging come the end of the season".
Coach
"We have complete confidence in the coach, we have no doubts, we respect him and I don't think it's a question of the coach but rather that we're all responsible, and we're 100% behind him".
