Roura: “The draw is a fair result”

“We came here with the intention of winning the three points but it’s always difficult to win at Valencia. I think the draw, in general terms, is fair,” said Jordi Roura in the post-match press conference. The assistant manager admitted that “we’re coming off of a very tough match away to Madrid and that, from a physical standpoint, always wears you down.”

Roura reminded the journalists in the press room that “Barça created two or three good chances in the second half.” He then congratulated the home team: “Valencia pressure you a lot and they don’t let you play. Their intensity made it difficult for us to play our game and it was hard for us to get close to their area. Perhaps we didn’t create a lot of chances and we weren’t as fresh as we have been in the past.”

Nearly the same team as the one that featured against Madrid

The assistant manager explained why many of the players that featured against Madrid were named to the starting team this evening: “We knew how difficult this match was going to be and we preferred to go with block of players that have been playing with regularity. We had four days to prepare and that’s sufficient time to recover. In addition, we have a long week ahead of us, among other reasons, that’s why we decided to field this team.”

The starting team once again featured Víctor Valdés, who played a fundamental role for Barça in the dying minutes of the match. “We’re very pleased with him. He’s the best keeper for us. This Sunday he showed that he’s at a fantastic level and he denied Valencia the winning goal. While he’s with us, he’ll help us,” said the Catalan, who added that Mascherano was subbed off because of the yellow card he was given in the first half.