Valverde: We were not clinical

Ernesto Valverde has refused to blame Valencia’s 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid on the referee, commenting that the team didn’t do enough on the pitch.

Los Che fell to a Karim Benzema strike and Andres Guardado own goal in the first leg of this Copa del Rey quarter-final on Tuesday, amid the visitors’ complaints of more than one call from the referee.

“On the refereeing errors I cannot comment because I do not know. On television it is easier to see and we have to put ourselves in the skin of the referee,” reflected Valverde post-match.

“Referees can make mistakes for one side or the other. This time, as I say, they are wrong against us.

 “Maybe it will hurt a little more when I see it on TV. In the field we are not aware of these errors. The only thing I am regretting is that we are two goals to nil down.

“Now we should have scored here a goal or more. We had chances and that is what hurts. The refereeing issue we cannot control.

“We have played well, but in the end we were not clinical and we have not been successful at times, we’ve been lacking nerve to generate greater scoring opportunities.

“I think the tie is not decided, we now carry a very adverse scoreline, but I think of the possibilities within my team.”

Valverde was dismissed for protesting against the officials after Madrid scored their second.

“I do not usually complain so much. I had asked to make a change, we had an injured player and were playing with some risk involved.

“Eventually we did not make the change and the goal was scored against us. That’s why I was angry and protested to the fourth official and the referee sent me off.”

Tags Valverde
La Liga - Club News