Baraja: "We have to make the draw count against Alavés at home" 

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja spoke in a press conference after the 1-1 draw against RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium.

The draw

“From what we saw, the draw is short of what we deserved. In the second half, the team looked for the win, we had chances, there were close calls that could have given us the victory and we were the better side, but we didn't manage to convert that into three points. However, sometimes when you can't win, then taking a point and changing the dynamic has to be valued. It seems like too small a reward, but we have to try to make it count on Sunday against Deportivo Alavés at home.”

The match

“In the first half they had several chances, but we also had two: A shot against the post and a one-on-one with Dani Gómez. Then it ended up being 1-0 at halftime. Although we were not at a great level in the first half, Espanyol were not that much better. In the second half, we started very well, we scored the goal and it gave us serenity and confidence. We played to win. We put all our effort into achieving that and it was a very good second half.”

Substitutions

“For the last change, I had thought about bringing on Hugo Duro, but Diego López was also sore and Enzo is the one who affected the whole thing - because he felt a twinge and couldn't walk. The idea was to bring on Hugo Duro in the final minutes. Dani has worked hard and it is important that people who participate contribute.”

Dani Gómez' disallowed goal

“It left me with doubts because it seems to me that it was a different action. The goalkeeper picks it up and Dani is offside, but then he drops it. The moment he drops it it is a new action and if he drops it and you are there, you can push it in. That is the doubt I have, and with how quickly they have decided I imagine it will be an interpretation that he is favouring offside -because I have no other explanation. But then when a forward goes to press the goalkeeper and he drops the ball and you knock it in, then that would also be offside. If it is a subsequent action, it is not offside. If it is the same action, then it is. That's why I asked to see if someone could clarify it for us. It was a very quick action and they decided in 15 seconds that it was not a goal. I imagine they will clarify it for us.”

Going for the win late on

“When you are down in a very difficult situation, all positive inputs must be valued. We would all like to win 5 games in a row and change the situation, but we were coming off three defeats. It's a change of dynamic and we have to try to get stronger in the next game at home by getting the three points. That will put us in a more positive situation, which is what the team need."

Mental strength

"The players have to gradually regain confidence. The more difficult the situation is, the more strength you have to show. That's what I try to transmit to them."

Nerves

"When you're down at the bottom there are those situations that are decided by a detail, that makes the difference between winning or losing. In the area you have to score, and we weren't able to do it. All this has its own explanations. Our defensive line -except Foulquier- has an average age of 19. Despite everything, the team showed energy, they wanted to win and they came back."

The second half

“What we saw in the second half is something positive, but it's not enough and I know that. But I have to find things to take hope from and I saw that the team were alive, they responded well and we had chances. When you have confidence, you free yourself. In the second half the team played more freely and that's what I expect from them.”

Rioja as a fullback

“When you play in a new position, there are mechanisms that you have to pick up. It's normal. His attitude has been fantastic and as the game went on he felt better. We have to try to take advantage of the weapons we have and the players who want to be there. Almeida, if he participates, if he wants it like today and is a protagonist like today, will always be in my team. But I need to always see that André, with that will and spirit. He knows it, I have a special relationship with him and I need him to take that step forward and be important for the team. When he is, he gives us different things. He had a serious game and this is what I ask of him."