Nuno Santo praised the Mestalla support after Valencia’s 3-1 win over champions Atletico Madrid.
Valencia were three up after 12 minutes with a Miranda own goal opening the scoring before Andre Gomes and Nico Otamendi piled on.
Mario Mandzukic pulled a goal back before half-time while Diego Alves saved a Guilherme Siqueira penalty to maintain Los Che’s comfortable lead.
“We did very well. With some luck and with a dream – the first goal was a defensive error that Atletico don’t usually make,” Nuno admitted, AS reports.
“But we forced it. We had a hefty advantage and after the third, yes, we stopped playing a bit.
“Diego Simeone responded and we had to hold on. We were concerned at 3-1.
“The second half we were very good. We did a fantastic job. The players were great and the Mestalla was like another player, incredible. Thank you.”
While the victory keeps up Valencia’s unbeaten start to the League season, Nuno was at pains to stress that the three points was just three points.
“To me the victory means nothing more than that. Now we have 17 points and in two weeks, if we win we’ll have 20,” he continued.
“We have a beaten a great team, the defending champions, but it’s just three points.
“There was incredible intensity and aggression. If I was a fan I’d be happy for seeing a good game of football.
“Every team has to have a good dynamic. But victories give you good dynamics. More than game by game, it’s about the dynamic.
“Before they were words, now they’re actions. Our character is going out to win and today we did against a great team. Words, actions, character.”
Nuno meanwhile downplayed the penalty save from Alves, but did at least praise the goalkeeper for the stop.
“It was important but it wasn’t decisive. Diego has an incredible percentage of penalty saves,” he said.
“It was important to keep the two-goal lead, so congratulations to Diego.”
Despite praising the home crowd, Nuno complained that the celebrations started to early, asking the fans not to chant ole until the game is won.
“It was too early for oles. That takes you out of matches,” he lamented.
“We are not a possession team and I asked not to do it out of respect for Atletico, who deserve that respect.”
