Gracia: "We weren't fortunate on specific moves that ended in goals"

Javi Gracia gave a coach's view on the 0-2 defeat to Real Betis in his post-match press conference at Mestalla.

The game

“There are different circumstances that can influence how a game goes. The first few minutes were good, but in the specific moves that ended in goals we weren’t fortunate; they had two deflected shots that didn’t help Jaume to be able to make a save. They dominated and controlled the game. We have to look for a way of causing more damage. This is the first game in which we haven’t scored a goal this season. We are going to try to improve the defence, and gradually I am sure that we will improve our chances of scoring.”

The team

“We are in a moment of continual learning and continual improvement. We're trying to take steps forward so that we can steadily become a more consistent, solid team. All of that needs time, hard work, and at times disappointment that we learn from. Despite the young age of our squad, they have showed the maturity -regardless of the results so far- to see that the way to improvement is day to day work. They are facing that with a lot of motivation."

Inconsistent results

“We came into this one off a game in which we were very consistent and won, and today we suffered a defeat. We have to accept the definition of us as inconsistent, and we weren’t at our best. We faded out during the game due to the misfortune that led to us conceding. We lost shape. In the second half there were more chances for the opposition, because we were looking to equalise.”

Potential signings due to the result

“I would prefer to analyse the defeat separately from any other circumstance. Right now we have to be self-critical. We started well, with good intentions of pressing high and having possession, but we faded. The goal didn’t help, of course, and we lost strength as Betis gradually took over the game. In the second half we used our heart more than our head, trying to cut the advantage. We suffered several counterattacks, with Jaume intervening on various occasions. We have to keep thinking about the way to improve.”