Bordalás: “It was a hard-fought game and I have to congratulate my players”

José Bordalás spoke to the media after his team drew 0-0 with Athletic Club at San Mamés.

What assessment do you make of the match? The fans sang a very explicit chant even against you.

You say 'a very explicit chant' and smile. I don't understand. I don't like being insulted at all. When there is an insult made by a player or coach, it is sanctioned. When the fans chant at you, nothing happens. Everything remains the same. I think it's not fair because we are doing our job, we respect everyone and I see no reason why they should insult absolutely anyone.

It was a hard-fought game. Athletic Club arrived in a great moment of form, they are fighting for Europe, and we knew it was going to be a difficult game. It was very intense from the start and I have to congratulate my players. At a time in which we have a remote chance of competing for the European places, the team fought. That is what we want -that the team don’t drop out of the competition. It was a very hard-fought match. In the final stretch, Athletic generated several clear dangerous situations, especially from set-pieces, but Mamardashvili was very good.

With the score at 0-0, it seemed that the Valencia CF players were taking their time in resuming play. Is the result enough for Valencia CF?

That's your interpretation. I see many games in which changes are made in added time, and nothing happens. When my team does it, it’s criticised. We couldn't be in a hurry because we were suffering, but it's something you see in every game. I make changes when I consider it right, just as the opposing coach makes them when he considers fit. It is an interpretation because it is the trend against my team. Everyone knows it and nothing surprises us at all.

Gabriel Paulista ended up on crutches. How is he?

He twisted his ankle. It was a very ugly move. Let's hope he doesn't have a major injury. He is an important player and it would be a shame. We wouldn't want him to have a serious injury.

Something that you have said in other press conferences, that there is a current against Valencia CF, came up today. Why do you say that? Don't you think that if everyone says it, it's for a reason?

Because of people like you, who comment on it normally. You know why. When a team don't win, it's always blamed on the same thing. I have given you an example: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City. Did you see how they played? Did you remember Bordalás then? It's something that happens in every game, every weekend, but when my team does it, you talk about all this. When it's the other way around, you don't talk.