Anil Murthy talks Atletico draw and institutional change

Following the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid, Valencia CF president Anil Murthy was interviewed by Spanish television channel Movistar LaLiga, and gave his opinions on the match and on other matters involving the club.

"I'm very satisfied with the draw. It's an important point and it's always difficult to play here. The team were brave and fought for the win until the end, but we come away from here with an important point," he told the channel's reporter.

"Both halves were very even, with both teams looking for the win from the start. I think that it's a valuable point for us away from home. Now we have to focus on the Champions League game on Wednesday against LOSC Lille."

Asked about the penalty given away by Denis Cheryshev, Murthy said that the incident "happens in football. It's bad luck for Cheryshev, but I'm sure that he will continue working hard for the good of the team. We have a lot of confidence in him.."

Matters then turned to the institutional side of the club.

"The institutional side is important, but what we saw today was that the team are focused on football. They are playing well and are behind their coach," he explained, but did acknowledge that there may be a departure soon for director general Mateu Alemany.

"There are always changes at a football club. After replacing Marcelino as coach, Mateu does not fit in well with our new project, and we are talking to him about his departure; the sooner we reach an agreement, the better for both parties."

"We have time and we are going to take things calmly," Murthy continued. "I have been to Singapore seven times to speak to Peter Lim, and he is somebody who follows the situation at the team very closely. My trip there this past week was not for any special reason. I was there to talk about the situation in general: The sporting and institutional side of the project, for the present and the future."