Miroslav Djukic was left content with Valencia’s response to a poor start at home to Barcelona, even as they eventually lost.
Los Che initially fell 3-0 down to a Lionel Messi first-half hat-trick, but responded with two Helder Postiga goals just before the break, before a goalless second half ended the game 3-2 to Barca.
“We have been punished for the turnovers in the first half to start the game, as they, when they recover the ball, are unforgiving,” recalled Djukic to reporters afterwards.
“If you sit back under your posts against Barcelona or against Real Madrid, at best you will lose 1-0 and what you have done is for nothing.
“There was a marked improvement from us in the second half, we were more direct.
“Despite this, I admit that we have to improve our treatment of the ball, but games with Barcelona are misleading in this sense.
“It is very difficult to get the ball against a team like Barcelona, who are very intense and look to quickly recover possession.
“Dorlan Pabon’s debut? He was a threat to the opponent, he looked very well for space and can bring us a lot.”
