Baraja: “I ask for respect, we have a lot at stake”

Rubén Baraja talked to the media after Valencia CF’s loss to Sevilla, and addressed the game and the refereeing calls made during it.

The match

“We are in a complicated situation. We have always accepted that. Today is a very hard day because of the result and because of the feeling that when you are in negative dynamic things like today happen to you -and also there have been decisive, influential actions that did not give us the possibility of being close to being in the game. There have been two very clear actions that have been definitive for the game and that had an influence.

“Despite the blow we received today, the team performed well at home and the fans helped us. We have to think about picking ourselves up. You can never give up, that's my way of thinking, it's what I've experienced here.

“We have 9 games ahead of us and we need that victory to give us encouragement. What we will do this week is work to get those three points that bring us that joy, because the team work and try to win -we just aren't managing to get the victory.”

Reasons to believe

"We have to hold on to the identity of the club. This club never give up, and we aren't ging to give up now. We are not going to allow anyone to let themselves go. It is a tough defeat. The team had a chance at 0-0 , It was open and suddenly there were circumstances that harmed us again. These are things that aren't going our way. There is a long way to go, but we are one victory away from being able to continue in the fight. We have to accept the situation."

Dissatisfaction with VAR

"In the end, VAR was supposed to be something that came in to judge what is not seen during the sequence of play. For me, it is a clear penalty. Our player touched the ball and the opponent made a gesture to prevent the ball from passing. In that moment, from my point of view, it's a penalty. That's my opinion, but not that of the referee. We don't know the criteria. I also don't understand how, clearly, in the action for the first goal, the foul was not reviewed. Why? Isn't there the option for the referee to go back and look at the play? These are two clear actions that didn't give us the chance to get into the game. There are many things that happen and influence games. I ask for respect. I don't want them to give us anything, but I want that they don't take anything away from us either. That's fair. We have a lot at stake and you have to think carefully about the decisions that are being made."

Cavani's frustration at being substituted

"Decisions are made. We think he did his job but we needed another kind of energy for the final stretch. You have to respect the coach, but here the most important thing is the group, the team. When Cavani starts, another teammate is left out. You have to respect each other and also understand the emotions of the game. He has to understand that we were looking to equalise. With the score at 0-2 and the sending off it became much more difficult.

What can be changed

"There is one thing that is evident. The players are demanding of themselves, they want this, they work hard and they aren't getting results. When we are the better side and have chances, we are not taking advantage. These situations lead you to be able to define matches. This is our reality. This type of thing must change, such as decisions that are harming us. We can change this."

The remaining games

"The other day we drew against Rayo, and we lost against Almería without feeling that we were worse than them. The results aren't coming. Until they made it 0-1 it was an even game. We were playing against a good side, despite their situation. Specific actions penalised us. We have to keep believing. Now we have three games against direct rivals and the moment of truth has arrived. We must achieve victory to change the situation."

Mistakes from corners

"We are active in this type of situation. We think that it has to come through hard work. If you have a set piece you have to take advantage of it. Maybe we didn't have the correct tension for the game and we failed to find players with crosses. We are working to improve and to score points. We have to keep working and this is a facet that we must improve."

Struggling to score

"The assessment that can be made is that everybody can have their own interpretation. With hard work and analysis, situations can be improved. Sometimes you get stuck in the last 30 metres and other times, without knowing how, you score a goal. This happens a lot when you are in difficult situations and what we have to do now is work to change it. Now, more than ever, we have to believe in the players and the team. Nobody gives up here, it's the philosophy of Valencia CF."

The performance

"There are many readings of the game. The players worked hard, they have attitude and they want to win, but we had chances and didn't have success. This means the matches remain open. You need everything to go your way. We want to change the dynamics and we will look for wins through hard work."

A possible foul before the opening goal

"I have seen the action and there was a trip and a hand that prevents our player from participating in the move. Then there was a rebound and it fell to them, but if you watch the play without pressure, carefully, I think you can whistle for it. That's my opinion. We ask that in these actions, VAR is called upon. The handball was interpretation, and nobody  knows what is and isn't handball. The feeling is that the decisions made during the game have not given us the chance to claim points. I am respectful of the referees' decisions, but today they affected us in the final result."

The fans

"I can't ask them for more. They have cheered us on and they have suffered with us. I have to thank them over and over again. Right now, the priority is the team, and changing the situation. I can only be grateful for the atmosphere, the fans, the reception. It annoys me that we aren't getting the results that make them feel good."