Piccini happy with return to action

Cristiano Piccini returned to official action with Valencia CF for the first time in 603 days in te game against Real Betis, having recovered from a serious knee injury and battled to regain fitness.

The defender was brought on in the second half against his former club, and was happy with how things went.

"It was a hard fought point for us. Both teams had chances to win, but I think that a draw was a pretty fair result," he told VCF Media.

"We had a chance through Yunus and the Cutrone goal that was disallowed, but they also had a couple of chances at the end. I tink that the team competed well, and it was a hard fought point. We hope to win the game on Wednesday."

"Just like against Real Sociedad, the team reacted well. We have to congratulate the team for their work, and it's a pity that we weren't able to win," he added, before commenting on how he felt when he came on.

"The coach asked me if I felt ready to play, and I said that I was. He told me that I was going to participate, that he was going to make me feel like a player again, and I am very grateful. It's been a very long time, and very difficult in many aspects -both physically and mentally."

Piccini thanked his loved ones for their support, saying that "I thought about my wife, who has had to put up with me for 20 months, and my family. I have a personal physio who comes to my house every day to treat me, and my daughter has realised that I've been injured. I'm sure that my parents will be very happy as well."