Copete: "The penalty was decisive"

Valencia CF defender Copete singled out a penalty call against the team as the game-changing moment in the regional derby loss to Villarreal CF.

The impact of the penalty

I think we started the match very well, largely dominating Villarreal CF -especially in the first half. And one move at the end of the first half was decisive. It was a 'modern' penalty, in which the referee called over by VAR, looked at, and ruled it a penalty.

These are actions we can't control, beyond trying to correct our mistakes. We tried until the end. The team's attitude was good; I understand the fans' view, because we wanted to give them a win, but it wasn't to be.

We just have to work hard and go for the win in the next game.

Details

When two sides are so similar or so evenly matched in some aspects, specific actions are very decisive. And it's not going our way right now.

We're going to keep working as hard as we can to to turn our luck around. I see the team train every day, I see us giving our all in training, and I'm convinced that positive results will come sooner rather than later.

Copa del Rey

We have to go into the Copa del Rey match with the greatest possible responsibility, be serious, get a good result and get through the tie. From there we will prepare for the Real Madrid game. First it's the Copa del Rey, and then it will be Real Madrid.