Here are a selction of post match comments of the players after the 2-1 defeat against Valencia at Mestalla.


Leo Messi:

Valencia's second goal was a big blow. The two goals came very quickly and we didn't have time to react. We tried but we couldn't manage a comeback.

We must continue working. Now we are leaders and we have to see what Sevilla do today, but the most important thing is that at the moment its in our own hands.

Albelda is a player that always plays on the limit, but I don't believe he made that tackle with bad intentions. Having said that, it was a tough tackle and I understand why my team mates wanted to defend me.

Physically I felt good. Now I want to play more minutes and continue like that. It's a pity about the result.

Oleguer Presas:

We are a winning team and sometimes we pay for that by going out to win games and leaving spaces for the counter attack. That is something Valencia managed to exploit very well.

With regard to Messi, we've been saying for some time that he is fine and today he showed it.

I heard insults from the crowd but that doesn't bother me. I know my position and when I play away from home I'm used to having things said to me. As players we can´t expect to be applauded when we play away from home.

Victor Valdés

You can't be happy when you lose. Valencia played direct football and caused us problems on the counter attack.

Up until the sending-off we had the ball and had chances. We were trailing on the scoreboard but we were still in the game, the red card caused up to loose focus.

I didn't see exactly what happened in that incident. I tried to separate my team mates and make sure we didn't lose a lot of time. In that sense they were very clever, they looked to provoke controversial incidents to waste time and we fell into the trap.

Regarding the shouting at Oleguer, people are free to express their opinion. You have to respect all opinions.

Deco:

We controlled the game but we lacked penetration. They scored with their first move in the second half and after that things were more difficult for us.

The incident will have to be looked at again on television to see exactly what happened.

If the club considers it necessary to appeal the red card and believe there is a case then they will have to appeal.