Soler: "Mestalla will be our '12th man' in the second leg"

Carlos Soler analysed the game between Athletic Club and Valencia CF at San Mamés after the final whistle, expressing his thoughts on the 1-1 draw.

The result

"We came here to win. Obviously we're not completely satisfied, because we wanted to take the win and we had chances -especially in the second half- to score a second goal. The tie is still very open for both sides. It will be decided at Mestalla, in a very important game."

The factor of Mestalla

"We have had magical, very beautiful nights at Mestalla. I have the memory of the tie against Betis, when the second leg was at Mestalla and we got to the final. I remember warming up in the final with the stands full of fans. Hopefully at Mestalla that will be repeated, and the stadium will be full from the warmup. I ask people to come along because that gives us goosebumps. They are our twelfth man. I'm sure that the fans will respond".

Key moments in the game

"There were several key actions in the game. Live, I didn't know if was a penalty or not, but on the replay it is very clear. It is a very clear penalty that I understand that the referee couldn't see, but on the cameras everyone can see it. For Athletic's goal there was a whistle against me. Then, one of their players put his studs in my thigh, which I think is a red card. We have to say it, but we can't get distracted by it. We have to focus on ourselves and we can do better -and we're going to do better."

The next match against Alavés

"This doesn't stop. We are playing very frequently and it's going to be a very tough game in Vitoria. We'll try to get the three points, because we're not far off the European positions. We'll try to fight for victory."