GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE WERE PUNISHED FOR NOT BEING CLINICAL ENOUGH"

Xavi García Pimienta spoke to the media following Sunday's defeat to Girona FC. He started, "It's a shame to lose because we completely dominated the first half. But we were punished for not being clinical enough. Girona managed to take the lead and we never managed to level the game up. We had plenty of clear chances but couldn't find the finishing touch. The game lost its flow a bit following the penalty but we move on to the next match with our heads up. But as I say, we need to be more clinical."

He added, "Games are won in the penalty areas. We were the better side first half, we created lots of chances but we need to be more cautious in our own box. Keeping a clean sheet is so important. We need to improve before the next game."

Sobre los errores, el técnico indicó que "no estamos acertados en los goles del Girona, tenemos que ser mucho más contundentes en nuestra área y creo que los errores en defensa nos están condenando". Como nota positiva, habló de la puesta de largo de Valentín Barco: "No era fácil el debut de Barco. El Girona tiene las cosas muy claras e hicieron una temporada magnífica, pero creo que Valentín ha tenido una buena actuación. Contento por el debut que ha hecho".

With regards to the mistakes that were made, our Head Coach indicated, "We're not too pleased with Girona's goals, we need to be stronger in our own box. Defensive errors are costing us." On a positive note, García Pimienta praised new signing Valentín Barco. "It wasn't an easy debut for Barco. Girona are a very disciplined side and are coming off the back of an incredible season. But I thought Valentín played really well, I'm very pleased with him."

Finally, he stressed the importance of using the international break to improve. "We have some time without a game now which we will use to keep working hard so that we can be fully prepared to face Getafe."