GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WHEN WE WANTED MORE, THE GAP WAS ALREADY SIGNIFICANT"

Xavi García Pimienta did not hide the superiority of the opponent this afternoon after the defeat at the Bernabéu: "We started off slow and improved as the game went on, but by the time we wanted more, the gap on the scoreboard was already significant. They were better in the first half, had more chances, and were more effective. They scored two great goals, and that makes it difficult. With the 1-3, you get back into the game, and we had that clear chance from Isaac that we couldn’t convert. When they scored the fourth, the game was over. We could have scored another goal aside from the second, but with the deficit we were carrying on the scoreboard, it was tough. We tried to recover and keep a clean sheet to stay in the game. We had the chance, but we didn’t score it, and the 1-4 was definitive. Despite everything, we didn’t give up, we had the 2-4 and, before that, Isaac’s shot that hit the post."

The team heads into the break with a bitter taste: "Now we have a week off, and on the 29th, we’ll come back fully recharged to tackle the most important part of the year, the second half of the season and the big Copa del Rey match in Almería, which will be very demanding. We need to rest well and come back at full strength." To conclude, the coach spoke about Jesús Navas's feelings during these first moments of his farewell: "He is emotional because he knows this has come to an end. He can be proud of the career he has had and the way he has been received in all the stadiums, including the Santiago Bernabéu. It’s sad because it marks the end of something he has been doing for many years, but he is an example and a source of pride. It’s been an honor to have a legend like Jesús Navas."