Valencia CF24 September 2024

LUIS RIOJA: “I FEEL LIKE THE TEAM DESERVED MORE TODAY”

Rioja spoke to the media after the draw at Mestalla (0-0).

Luis Rioja, MVP of the match, was one of those in charge of analyzing the match against CA Osasuna in VCF Media. The winger highlighted the work done by the team both defensively and offensively.

we deserved more

 Ithink it's a game to draw positive conclusions from. I think we were very gooddefensively, very serious, very well organised. They practically didn't createa single clear goal scoring chance against us.

It's two consecutive weeks with clean sheets, which was very important. Wehadn't managed to get one so far, until last week, until the last game. Andthen in attack I think we were a little more apathetic in the first half. Ithink it took us a little longer to find ourselves in that final three-quartersof the pitch. Even withthe last chance, Andrés Almeida had one that I think was quite clear. In thesecond half, where we had the clearest chances, we pushed a little more due toour drive and grit -and I think the team deserved a little more, although welacked a little bit of clarity in the last phase. 

GROWING AS A TEAM

We knew that the schedule at the beginning of the season was going to be very difficult. Three days ago, seems like an age ago, but we beat a Champions League team 2-0, with a clean sheet. Today it was against a team that had started very well, a team that had a very good defence and that have competed very well for many years -and they continued with that same inertia. In the end, I think we were a little bit superior to them, I think we were the better side in terms of chances, in terms of our intentionality within the game.

GETTING BETTER

The teammates are making it very easy for me. I think the team is improving and I let myself be carried away by the inertia they have. With this accumulation of matches there is a little more fatigue, but we played a good game. Individually, I think I'm making progress, I'm feeling more and more comfortable. Three days ago I scored a goal and today we lacked freshness up front. I think this is the line to follow both collectively and individually.

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