Bordalás: "I have no doubt that the penalty gave FC Barcelona an advantage"

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás spoke to the media after the game against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

What do you think of FC Barcelona without Messi?

I am not the person to talk about FC Barcelona, but it is true that the loss of Messi is a big one. He is the best player in the world and not having him in LaLiga is a great loss.

What did you think of the penalty?

It was decisive, as at that time the game was very even. It was not a penalty. I have been able to look at it after the game, and on the pitch Gayà told me that he clearly touched the ball. I was able to verify that. It is a very decisive move, and we cannot understand why a penalty was called. We are outraged.

Did the team suffer physically in the final minutes?

We had problems and we had knocks... Guedes received a very heavy knock and could not continue, Foulquier made a very great effort on the wing both in defence and in attack, then we had players who came back from injuries or from playing with their national teams.

Everything combined and the team reached the final stage of the game a little tired, but there was a series of circumstances. We have to improve defensively, as too many goals have been conceded by us. That has been an objective since I arrived. We've played against teams such as Real Madrid, Sevilla FC and Barça. The penalty move was decisive. We had chances to equalise, the team tried and it was a pity about the third goal, because we made it too easy for them when we were already behind.

What do you think of FC Barcelona this season?

In no way can one doubt the capability and potential of FC Barcelona. They are a team that have also had difficulties with injuries. They have a great squad and will be fighting to be among the top teams.

Are you worried about having gone five games without a win?

Obviously, when you don't win you are not happy. We will work to get a victory again. We have to analyse the game and keep working for the next match.

How do you rate Yunus Musah's performance?

He came on at a difficult moment, in a situation in which we had difficulties with Foulquier going off. We thought we needed an attacking player and he came on at a difficult time. His intention is always to do his best and help; he was not as successful as we would have liked, but he is a young player and he will improve.

Do you think Guedes was hit too much?

They fouled him five times in a row in a very short period. Barça had tripled the amount of interruptions that we did. That hurt us, because he is a difference maker who was fouled many times.

Do you think the refereeing influenced the outcome of the match?

I have no doubt that the move for the penalty gives an advantage to a rival of the potential of FC Barcelona, and hinders the game.

Do you think the result was unfair?

We cannot talk about whether it is fair or unfair. It's true that it was not a game that we should have lost 3-1, because the team did enough in the second half to achieve a draw, with chances like that for Guedes or Carlos Soler hitting the post. If we had equalised, then I don't know what would have happened. The team tried, they gave their all and they looked for an equaliser. and I'm sure that we would have chased a winner. This is a team that wants to win and is ambitious. Anyone who has been able to see the move knows that it was not a penalty.