Aguirre: “I liked the team’s attitude and we should continue like this”

Valencia CF coach Javier Aguirre talked to the media after his first game in charge: A 2-2 draw away to Racing Santander.

His level of satisfaction

It’s not something tangible -I can’t point to one specific stretch in the game- but there were spells in the game that I liked. Racing are a very strong opponent; no one can underestimate them. They’ve dominated everyone here, taking the ball away from them, and that’s what they did to us. We bounced back after the second goal, took risks by pushing forward, and what I liked was the players' attitude. The way they ran, the way they pressed on -even while cramping up. I liked that attitude, and I told them as much. Then you look at how we left the player unmarked to score for their second goal and sat too deep; we could have even won the game, though it would have been unfair because Racing didn't deserve to lose. The fans were great, and El Sardinero is a beautiful stadium to play at.

Analysis of areas for improvement

We were losing the ball too easily; we couldn't string three passes together. Racing are a team that go hard, playing at full tilt, and we had some chances, but we lacked something. I asked for the personality, in order for to put three passes together. That was my mistake; we weren't pressing their central midfielders effectively, and we suffered a lot in the first half. Then the second goal really threw us off balance, and we were the ones who ended up going all-out. We were good with the ball -better with it in the second half. The team are finding our feet. We’ve already taken the first step: Showing the right attitude. We need to keep up that workrate, running, fighting, and competing hard. We’ll have better matches than this one.

Assessment of Hugo Duro

I’ve seen him, Raba, and Elliott looking very good since I arrived. They weren't playing, but they needed to be. A number 9 is judged by his goals, but he fought hard, held up the ball, and helped out... It’s true that he missed that late chance, but he was already completely spent. That’s the nature of strikers: they might miss that one, but then score three in a single game another time.

The mood in the dressing room

The dressing room is angry; there were mixed feelings, as they had seen victory as being within their grasp. In any case, it’s not a bad result, considering we could have even lost the game. They showed real character to get a draw in a difficult game. They were exhausted -and that’s exactly what the dressing room needs: for not winning to hurt, that it’s painful to draw a match. They should be dead on their feet, cramping up. You can win or lose, but if a player leaves everything on the pitch, you can’t fault them for anything. I gave them a real earful -the kind I like to give, complete with a few choice words.

His assessment of Racing’s start to the season

They keep picking up points. It’s all about points. If you get 42 points, you stay in the Primera División. They’re playing with such confidence and it’s working wonders for them. Taking 8 points from 12 at home isn’t easy. They’re unbeaten at home, the fans are fully behind them, and Canales has come back and fit right in... Congratulations to them.