Gracia: "We know the need for points in the upcoming games"

Valencia CF coach Javi Gracia reflected on the 2-3 loss at Mestalla to FC Barcelona in his post-match press conference, and felt that his side could have achieved a better result for their efforts.

The positives

"The result could have been somewhat more favourable, analysing the game in general. If you don't take advantage of your opportunities, and if you are not very effective in attack, the opposition also tend to have a lot of possession and scoring chances -so it is difficult to take away any points. We could have taken a better result based on our good work, constant defensive work, and counterattacking play. The team did a lot of things well and could have received a little more of a reward."

The need for points

"I try to be realistic and I try to look at the current situation that the team are in. We try to make sure that, with every passing day, we get better through hard work. As I've said, we see the need to pick up points. We see the importance of each point. That's the intention with which we face every game. We will approach the next game with the same responsibility and the same optimism, because we always prepare for games with optimism and excitement that we are going to win. That's the only way that we are looking at the next game."

Showing a good attitude

"I couldn't be more worried. I'm worried because I want things to turn out better and I am kept busy with that. No matter how much you want to convey that you feel bad about the situation, the necessary thing is that we 'do' something. We are on very bad run. There are other teams that are on a similar run, but that doesn't console us at all. We want to take victories, because we need them now. Today the team showed effort, dedication and a good attitude against good opponents. We are going to maintain this and I am confident that it will give us results."

Unity in the team

"What I feel is that the players are united and they are working very well. Today we didn't get our reward in terms of the result, but we can still take away that way of competing, of showing heart for 90 minutes. That is what we must do; it is the only way to compete in the remaining games. We have to continue on the same path, and by doing that we will get a victory soon that will reassure us all. We will have to be just as demanding in the remaining matches."

The performance from the attack

"I see Maxi Gómez perform on a day-to-day basis. He works very well. The moment will come when he finishes off badly and the goals go in regardless. He did a great job alongside Gonçalo Guedes. I think we were a team that generated chances s thanks to our work at both ends and by the entire team. Everybody was good, and it's just a shame that we didn't achieve a good result."