Gracia: "The game became an uphill struggle due to a bad first half"

Javi Gracia reflected on Valencia CF's loss to Elche CF in his post match pres conference, saying that the first half had proven to be his team's undoing.

The performance

"We came into the game with good intentions, but gradually we lost control. The opposition didn't have many chances, but scored two goals. Once again we conceded before the 20th minute. The game became an uphill struggle due to a bad first half. In the second half we showed more intensity, and a better attitude, and the chances began to come -many of them clear chances that deserved another goal. However, when the game is so against you, it becomes tough. We were very close to doing it with the chances we had and our good attitude, but we weren't able to score those goals."

The morale factor

"I think that everything has an influence. When you have a string of negative results it's important to maintain high morale. The team were in good spirits before the game and we had worked well, preparing very well for a 3-man defence and with options in attack to break that down.

The team felt better in the second half, when the game was already stacked against us. We should have to get to this situation. When we had things up against us, we loosened up. We need a good result to generate more confidence, but we have to get out of this. We have to improve our first halves, because it's taking away our opportunity to get good results."

The problem

"It's not a question of the choice of players -of the team improving because of substitutions. The same XI who started today showed in the second half that they can play at a better level, and the changes kept up these good actions.

Today, with 2 or 3 shots, Elche scored 2 goals. We had almost 14 shots and they had Manu clearing off the line. There is a will there. We have to put this into practice, and transform it into good play."

The pressure of a negative run

"The three negative results are there. Today we were beaten in that first half where we conceded a lot. Last week was different, and in the spell when we were playing better we conceded the second goal. We are not always losing and having the team loosen up in the toughest moment. The team have to improve their first half showings. We have to apply ourselves for this, and I'm the first to have to do that. I will adjust things as best as possible and convince the squad that we are conceding a lot in the first half, then work to change it."

The halftime team talk

I only said what was happening: that a team were beating us because they wanted it more than us, and that I believed that we should not miss the opportunity to play those second 45 minutes as a team and with an intensity that was really in line with what I think we are all about. I don't doubt anyone's attitude and good intentions, but that isn't translating into good performances, especially in the first half. When we see the game as lost, we opened up and performed better. We do not have to reach that desperate situation to give a good showing. We have to continue maturing and growing so that in the coming matches it doesn't happen to us again."

Kang In

"The pass by Kang In was very good, as was the goal from Lato. They had some good minutes. I make the choices, and we will choose the players we see best fit to help us win each game."