Costa: "It's from tough times that you learn the most"

Jaume Costa was the man involved in an unfortunate deciding moment in the Copa del Rey, as a ball handled accidentally by the defender was given as a penalty late in the game against Granada.

"What can I say? I was one of those who applauded the arrival of VAR years ago, but today it hindered us and that is what we have to go through.

Sometimes it favours you, sometimes it goes against you... and today it went against us," said the dejected fullback.

"I personally want to apologise for the handball that was accidental, but which has led to us being eliminated from the Copa del Rey -a competition that I was very excited about. I wanted to reach the semifinals and play a final, which is something I haven't been able to do in my career. It wasn't to be, it's a tough moment and it's from tough times that you learn the most. We have two fantastic competitions remaining and I'm very proud to be in them. I want to apologise to everybody involved with Valencia CF."
 

Costa said that he had tried to explain the move to the referee, but that the response was that it was "very clear; he said that I had my hand out. I jumped with my marker and felt that it touched me, but I had my hand by my side. It's a decision made by the referee and VAR. Afterwards he went to look at it, and VAR shows us that, when they go to see it, they always give the decision."

"I don't want to believe, nor do I believe, that they want to perjudicate us.

There are accidental actions in which you have to take a decision in a matter of seconds, and I value the work of the referees. It's a tough job."

"I want to apologise and tomorrow we will go to work with a clear head and focus on the next game. We have technology here now and we have to adapt. I was one of those who asked for it, and today it hampered us."