Toni Lato, Pablo Maffeo, David López and Jagoba Arrasate were on post-match media duties after our 1-0 defeat to Valencia CF. Find out what the trio and the boss had to say:
Toni Lato:
On the match: ‘It was a very difficult to come to, we knew that they were going to press from the first moment because they are playing for a very difficult objective, ours was much more beautiful and exciting. I think it was decided by the goal. We didn't score either and it was a very hard-fought game. I think it would have been fair to draw the game, but it was a good one. I'm happy that at least football is decided by these things, successes and failures, and today it was the cross we had to bear.'
On the defeat: ‘I think it would have been fair to get at least a draw. It leaves us a little bit disappointed, we had the illusion of continuing to get points to get closer to a very nice goal. With our people, at home, we're doing very well. Maybe we lacked that point of success, as I said. But well, we'd like to thank the more than 600 fans who came, who gave us a lot of support, and we'll keep going. Next week at home, we have to win the three points, which will surely bring us closer to our objective.’
On facing an old side: ‘Very special, I felt comfortable and at ease at first. We had chances to win, or at least draw. It was a shame because I would have liked to at least get a draw, but well, we had the illusion of being able to win.’
Pablo Maffeo:
On the match: ‘In the end, well, we leave with the feeling that we could have got a point. They've had two and scored one, we've had quite a few and haven't scored. So, well, let's keep going.’
On scoring: ‘It's first division, we know that with a half they can score against us and we can also score as we have done in other games. Maybe we deserved a bit more in this game, but that's fine. In the end the result is what it is and that's fine.'
On the positives: ‘I think David came on and you didn't notice that it was his debut, he played a magnificent game. Abdón has also not played for a long time and he was also good. Lato, even. We are a team, there are twenty-something of us and we know that, whoever comes on, obviously we are all there to support them and to make sure they do well’.
On the second half: ‘I try to do the best I can. I know I'm being looked at a bit under the microscope, that I'm being criticised a bit. As long as I'm doing well on the pitch and I feel good, I don't care what anyone says to me and I'll carry on as usual’.
David López:
On the game: ‘From my point of view it's a game that's a bit... we deserved a bit more. But football is like that, it's measured by small details. Today we didn't have the bit of luck you need to get a draw in the last few minutes, but that's fine. I think the team did well, they fought until the end and that's what we took with us.’
On goal-scoring opportunities: ‘They pressed, Mestalla pressed, but the team wasn't bad. I think we were able to defend in the part of the game when we had to defend. At the end of the game we pressed, we did everything we could to at least get a point, but it wasn't to be.’
On his debut: ‘It's not easy at all, I've tried to take it as calmly as possible, because at the end of the day it's a football match, 11 against 11. It's true that now, when it's cold, knowing what you've achieved: making your debut with the team of your life, it's a very nice feeling.’
On the youth academy: ‘I think that whenever you see a home-grown player make his debut it gives you that extra motivation, that you can be the next one. I now encourage all the youth players to work hard, to fight and that nothing is impossible. To fight for their dreams.’
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the match: ‘I think it's a shame. Today the team made a great effort and just because of our chances, our chances, we deserved to draw, but that's fine. It's all about getting it right and, above all, the mistake we made at the start of the second half: they scored a good goal and then the team reacted, but it wasn't enough to equalise.’
On the change of formation: ‘I was looking to have more presence in the box with two strikers and wingers who can appear on the opposite side, and to attack the box more. They put in a line of five, also at the end, with Diakhaby coming on. Well, they had something to defend and they did it well, we had some close calls, but we didn't get it right.'
On David López's debut: ‘Good, very good. I think he was calm, he did what we told him to do. Then it was more due to fatigue and a change of system, but we had already said that he was ready, this loan spell at Burgos has been very good for him, he has gained confidence. He's a first division player and he's ready for what is required.’
On the future: ‘It's true that right now we have that feeling of anger at the end of the game, but we have a very short week ahead of us. We have to recover well and see if the injured players can also help us. I think we have a very nice game against Celta at home, in front of our own fans. It's a very important match, a rival that is right there with us right now. We're a bit upset right now, but we'll turn it around and face the game in the best possible way with our fans.’