Valencia CF captain José Luis Gayà reacted to the 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, speaking to VCF Media after the game.

The loss

We had planned the game with us playing with a middle block and trying to break out. After the first goal, in the first half, they hit us from the first move of the second half. Our heads dropped, and we can't allow that. We can't be deflated after receiving two blows. We have to push forward. We have a difficult month ahead, and we need to be more united than ever so that we can keep picking up points and move closer to the top spots.

The controversial penalty decision

The penalty decision obviously affected us. We all saw that it was clearly Casemiro who hit Omar Alderete from behind. They checked it in two seconds, and that's what surprised me a little. We all saw that it wasn't a penalty. However, we shouldn't use that penalty as an excuse, because they scored a further three goals. We have to be self critical. When you come to these grounds, you can either have a winning mentality or you will find things very hard.

The Copa del Rey draw

We have to focus on the cup now, because we know that it's a competition that excites us. Atlético Baleares have eliminated two Primera División sides already, especially with a comprehensive result against Getafe. We have to be very careful and very alert. That's how we have to go into the game: With the mentality that it is going to be very difficult, and excited about the chance to go through.