Gracia: "I am optimistic that we are growing"

Javi Gracia gave his thoughts on the 2-2 draw with Getafe CF on Matchday 8 in his post-match press conference.

The game
"I'm happy with the game and the effort that the team put in. I think that the game was under control whilst the numbers were even. We had an advantage on the scoresheet and had barely faced chances from the opposition. Later on, when we were a man down, we struggled a little more in terms of conceding ground and defending closer to our own goal. However, we weren't suffering excessively, and even had two chances that could have killed off the game from Maxi and Toni -who both had the ball fall at their less favoured foot. That's the reason why those weren't finished off like they should have been.

"Later on, the game broke down with the late goals, and equalising in the final minute isn't 'justice' in my point of view; I think that the effort from the team and the way they played deserved the win. However, at least it isn't as cruel a result for the way that we played and our effort as it might have been. I can say that I'm optimistic that we are growing. In terms of points, things are going slowly, but I trust that we will get our rewards further down the line."

A boost for morale
"If we hadn't have taken points today, it would have been difficult to convince the group that they had done many things well. This point is a small reward that makes you see the game through different eyes, and enjoy the good things that we did -which was a lot. We played for close to 40 minutes with ten men, and we were very solid. The team countered well. The game was demanding and tough, but we did a lot of things well. It seems unfair to me that we didn't win, and would have been tremendously unfair not to have drawn."

The right intensity
"Today the team were very intense from start to finish, and kept the faith until the end. A hurt team don't look for an equaliser until the end like we did. In previous games there were moments in which we didn't maintain that intensity, but in the second half against Elche and the majority of the match against Villarreal they competed well. The players are aware that we have to be intense from start to finish."

The final minutes and Carlos Soler
"I was calm, because I knew that with that penalty the game would be over. I had confidence in Carlos, because he is a very good penalty taker. I was convinced that we could equalise.

"Carlos will feel better every time he is in the position he played, because he needs minutes, just like anybody."

Waiting to make the final substitution
"The team were doing things well. When we went a man down, I had just one window left in which to make changes. I tried to save that for as long as possible, because there were several players with discomfort. We had Mangala warming up, in case it was necessary to strengthen the defence. There are several reasons why we didn't make the changes, even though fresh players might have helped. I think we took the right decisions."