Malaga boss Javi Gracia described his team’s 1-0 victory over Valencia at La Rosaleda on Monday night as “priceless”.
Samu Castillejo headed home in the 25th minute to secure a first win of 2015 for Los Blanquiazules, while the visitors’ cause was not helped by the second-half dismissal of defender Joao Cancelo.
“After the disappointment in the Copa del Rey this victory over a team that is chasing a Champions League place was reward for all of us. It was priceless,” Gracia told a post-match Press conference.
“To be honest we played a pretty complete game considering who we were up against, a team that hadn’t lost this year, so we knew it would be tough.
“We should have scored more goals but they didn’t give up despite having a man less and they were difficult to contain.”
The Navarra-born Coach conceded it had been a demanding month for his players.
“We have played some good teams in La Liga…it was difficult, but we never gave up and were inferior to nobody.
“Despite the setbacks we continued to work and I’m very optimistic about the rest of the season,” he added.
