Mendilibar laments failure to score

Osasuna boss Jose Luis Mendilibar was happy with his team’s display against Valencia despite the 0-2 scoreline.

Dani Parejo and Roberto Soldado’s strikes left Los Rojillos needing a miracle at Mestalla in the second leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 tie.

“Valencia are a team of the Champions League,” the Basque strategist sighed. “We lacked a bit of punch to win the match, but we tried. These players have played with each other very little, although they do train together every day. I’m happy with the work of them all.”

Opposite number Ernesto Valverde argued that the tie was far from resolved, but Mendilibar was more sceptical.

“Valverde is a good guy. I won’t give you percentages, but it is much more for them than for us.”

The 51-year-old felt a failure to score the first goal did for his side.

“We must have patience. The difference these things make in a game is striking. If you get a goal, you play more relaxed.”
 

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