First team

LOPETEGUI: "WE WANTED TO WIN AND WE ALMOST DID"

30/10/2019

"We are a team that goes out to win every game"

Julen Lopetegui spoke to the club's official media to assess the draw against Valencia CF: "We came here to get the three points. We were the better side and controlled the game really well for eighty minutes. For their goal, they believed a bit more. We had to drop deep and in two or three transitions we panicked a bit. A lot of things went against us, Escudero's injury, having to play Gudelj at centre-half, he did a fantastic job, and Jules played at left-back, which he has never done before. The team competed, believed, and wanted the three points. I think we deserved to win, but then again, it's a tough place to visit, they have a good side, so it's a good point.

"We are a team that goes out to win every game. Today was no exception, we faced a strong side. They took the game to us in a good way, we're direct rivals in many senses. We wanted to win and we almost did". The manager spoke about the injuries to the team's defence: "Reguilón already had some problems, now Escudero is injured as well as Carriço and Sergio. It's one of them. We have to look for solutions".

Finally, Julen spoke about the next fixture against Atlético Madrid: "They have one more day of rest than us. In a cycle of three matches, that day is hugely important. We will have to prepare well, recover quickly, and go into the match looking to win".