Ernesto Valverde conceded that Valencia were outclassed by a Real Madrid side on Sunday night that had a different game-plan.
Los Blancos ran out 5-0 winners at Mestalla in Week 20, just a few days on from a closer-fought 2-0 win over Los Che in the Copa del Rey first leg quarter-final.
“They have been absolutely superior. Clearly,” conceded Coach Valverde after the heavy loss.
“Madrid has a team that counter-attacks extraordinarily. And with the 0-1 we had to expose ourselves more and we paid dearly.
“Then the 0-2 and 0-3 came fast and we dropped.
“At the Bernabeu we played as equals, with good feelings and surprised them. We followed that same belief in this game and it was a mistake, because they came out more cautious.
“With Madrid, you can surprise them once, but not twice.
“We’ve only lost one game. Nobody likes to lose by that difference, but this serves to teach us and it was only three points at stake. There is a chance for revenge on Wednesday.
“I will not speak of the casualties. There are 23 players in this squad and they all have to be ready. If at the Bernabey we had had a hard result, then this League defeat would have been different.”
Valencia host Madrid again this coming midweek in the second leg of their Cup quarter-final.
