Bordalás: “The penalty hindered us, but it is no excuse”

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás addressed the media after a tough defeat for his side at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid had a penalty that provoked many questions from journalists.

What was your view of the Real Madrid penalty from the touchline?

I didn’t see it clearly from the touchline but at halftime I was able to see it and it is not a penalty. It is a non-existent penalty. I understand that the referee might interpret that it is a penalty from his view on the pitch, but VAR is there a reason: To see that move and correct it, as has happened in many games. It is not a penalty, Alderete wins the duel with Casemiro. Casemiro hits him. He is clever, he lets himself go down, and the referee gives a penalty.

To what extent do you think that the ‘robbery’ of the penalty affected the game?

I have already commented on the move. It was not a penalty. Real Madrid are a great team, and they got ahead just before the break and sent us into halftime 1-0 down. That hinders things, but it is not an excuse. I’m not happy. The team were very fragile and very vulnerable. The second goal was very easy for the opposition; there were many Valencia CF players around and incomprehensibly they got into the six yard box. The third came from a turnover, and when it was 3-1 we were pushing forward and Benzema is lethal in the area. We have to be smart in risky areas. We lost in a resounding way and we made things very easy for a result like tonight. I am not happy.

What is your overall reading of the game. When do you think reinforcements will arrive?

Everybody is aware that the team have needs, and we see it in every game. We will have faith and have peace of mind. We trust that the reinforcements will arrive due to the needs of the team.

Do you share the statement that the penalty was a ‘robbery’?

I will not comment on this. I always respect everyone's opinions, and even more if they come from my club. I don't know if we can talk about a robbery, but it does hinder the game. I cannot understand how, with VAR in use -technology in which I have always trusted- you get a penalty like that.

Today the team conceded four goals. Why are Valencia CF not approaching the defensive numbers that you have had at other teams?

With this number of goals conceded, it is impossible. We are the team with the second-highest amount of goals scored against us in the league, and if we don't react then we can't aspire to anything at all. This hasn’t happened to me before, that is true, but it is not due to a lack of work. Analysing the goals, we are making mistakes in our decision making. We want to play inside when we have to run into space, we take risks in unnecessary areas… We have conceded 32 goals. Every time we play against a mid-table or top team, they score us with ease.

Are coaching staff making mistakes when it comes to the approach to games?

I am the first to take responsibility. The coaching staff are most responsible for this situation. I have never hidden away or moved aside. I have to be forceful and clear about the reality for the team and I repeat once again: I am not hiding at all.

Why did you take off Koba just minutes after he came on?

We had pulled a goal back, and we thought it was time to take off a striker and it was difficult for Koba to track back. It was difficult for him to position himself. It was a tactical decision, nothing more. It happens sometimes. It is not the first time I have done it, nor will it be the last. I might also have made a mistake with the substitution. He is a young player and he will have more chances.