José Bordalás spoke to the media after the draw in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, played this Thursday in San Mamés.

Raúl García said that it is very difficult to play when only one team goes for the game. What do you think of these statements?

I'm not going to comment on that, I have nothing to comment about it. Valencia CF had a great game against a team that is in fantastic form, having just eliminated FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. We have the feeling that we could have come away with the victory if we had been awarded the penalty on Hugo Duro.

What do you think of the penalty that wasn't given to Hugo Duro?

Live it is difficult even for the referee to judge. We do not hold José Luis responsible because he had a fantastic game amidst a great atmosphere, a lot of pressure and two teams with a very high level of intensity. When we entered the dressing room and saw the move, everyone agreed that it was a very clear penalty. We do not understand why VAR did not review the action and help the referee who is on the pitch. The same with the play in which Carlos Soler was brought down, which we believe was a direct red card.

What message do you convey to the fans?

The fans are going to be behind the team. Today the team showed up and had very good moments against a very strong side, which put pressure on us and made it 1-0, but we got back into the game and we have got the the equalising goal. The tie is 50%, we have to play the second leg and I'm sure the fans will be behind the team.

You said that the refereeing was good. Weren't there too many actions in a semi-final that put the tie against Valencia CF?

I wish that we didn't have to complain about those actions, but I can't hold the referee responsible. It's difficult on the pitch, they're quick actions that not even we can see. They are moments in the game. VAR have to notify him, just as happened against us. I remember that 50 seconds into a season in which Hugo Guillamón was sent off. I don't understand why VAR don't warn him. We are not going to insist on these two actions, we have to think that the tie is 50%. We trust in the team, and it was not easy with this atmosphere against us. Now to think about the LaLiga game. We will have weeks to prepare for the second leg.

For such a young team, today's game was a test of maturity. Has today been the team's most complete match away from home?

I have congratulated the players, as for some it was an atmosphere that they had rarely experienced in a semifinal. It was difficult for me to give instructions because they couldn't hear me; it was difficult for everyone, we were trying to correct things, but it was impossible due to the atmosphere. It has been a good test, and this makes footballers mature. It requires a process, but I want to congratulate them because they were really good.

Thierry and Foulquier have settled on the wing. Will we see them change position?

Yes, on some occasions we changed them, but today this has not been the case. Athletic's wing with Muniain and Yuri is very strong. Thierry and Foulquier are two players who are giving us a lot. We could have switched them, but the game was difficult. We finished the game in our half, but the team were very serious and we have managed to draw.

How is Gayà?

He had a problem and he has requested the change. He will undergo tests. We trust that they will only be cramps, as the feeling was not as bad as on the pitch.

What happened to Maxi Gómez?

He was sent off at the break. I don't know what happened because I had entered the dressing room. I can't comment. At first it seemed that he wasn't, but before coming out for the second half they told me that he had been sent off.

How do you assess the role of Hugo Duro?

Strikers live off goals, but I value Hugo beyond the goals he has scored. Especially for his work rate. He is very important. He is a very honest player, he spares no effort, he is capable of scoring goals and provoking actions like today's penalty. I've known him since he was young. He is a very attentive player and I want to congratulate him and his teammates.

Valencia CF are one game away from a final. Don't you feel that you are closer to playing it than three hours ago?

We're no closer than three hours ago. If it there were away goals, we could say that there is a certain advantage, but we are tied, and the second leg remains. It is true that we will play at home, but this is football. Today we could think that Athletic would have an advantage with the atmosphere of their fans, but this is football in its purest form, with two teams with a very high level of intensity and ambition. The tie is 50-50, of that I have no doubt. We cannot think that we are going to have an advantage. It will be a nice and attractive match, and we trust that there will be an atmosphere in Mestalla similar or better than today

Do you feel hindered by the refereeing?

He did a fantastic job. I simply complain that they did not warn him from the VAR room.

Have the team finally taken a step up away from home?

Today the team took a step up. Athletic wanted to win, and we managed the match. We were able to suffer and all the players have helped us. It was not easy to come on from the bench and help. Ilaix had a great game. We had difficulties, especially on the second balls, and we had to play closer together, but it's normal, it was a position in which he has played once, but not many times, and we had a great opponent in front of us.