Valencia coach Unai Emery refused to criticise his forwards despite seeing a host of chances go begging as Los Che continued their miserable March form with a home defeat to fellow European hopefuls Sevilla. Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal last night's game midway through the second half to inflict a fourth defeat in five competitive fixtures on Valencia this month.
It was also the first time in almost three years that Valencia have suffered three successive losses, having gone down to Schalke and Real Zaragoza in their previous two outings, but the east coast side had more than enough chances to see off Sevilla.
A mixture of the woodwork, great goalkeeping from Sevilla's Javi Varas and poor finishing left Valencia empty-handed, but while he admitted there are things that need improving, there were no reprimands from Emery following the game.
"I've little to reproach my team for aside from our shooting and defending a little better," said Emery. "There are positive things to be taken from inside the negative of losing a game. I'm not happy with the defeat, but I'm happy with the attitude and general look of the team. This is a team that is growing and we are fighting for our objectives."
Striker Roberto Soldado, who has scored just once in Valencia's last 11 games, had a number of openings against Sevilla while his fellow forward Jonas Oliveira also failed to take advantage of some great chances.
Emery added: "I'm not unhappy with the strikers. They have done well because they had chances and they have only failed to finish them off. (Roberto) Soldado had one of his best games in terms of being in the match, his presence in attack.
"I have nothing to reproach regarding the attitude of Soldado or anybody. If he continues with this attitude and disposition he will score goals." The defeat to Sevilla saw Valencia lose third place in La Liga to Villarreal, but Emery's men are still in a healthy position in the race for the Champions League spots.
With nine games to go they are 11 points clear of fifth-placed Espanyol and 12 in front of Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla. Emery said: "We have lost a battle, but we're still in the war."
It was also the first time in almost three years that Valencia have suffered three successive losses, having gone down to Schalke and Real Zaragoza in their previous two outings, but the east coast side had more than enough chances to see off Sevilla.A mixture of the woodwork, great goalkeeping from Sevilla's Javi Varas and poor finishing left Valencia empty-handed, but while he admitted there are things that need improving, there were no reprimands from Emery following the game.
"I've little to reproach my team for aside from our shooting and defending a little better," said Emery. "There are positive things to be taken from inside the negative of losing a game. I'm not happy with the defeat, but I'm happy with the attitude and general look of the team. This is a team that is growing and we are fighting for our objectives."
I'm not happy with the defeat, but I'm happy with the attitude and general look of the team.
Unai Emery, Valencia coach
Emery added: "I'm not unhappy with the strikers. They have done well because they had chances and they have only failed to finish them off. (Roberto) Soldado had one of his best games in terms of being in the match, his presence in attack.
"I have nothing to reproach regarding the attitude of Soldado or anybody. If he continues with this attitude and disposition he will score goals." The defeat to Sevilla saw Valencia lose third place in La Liga to Villarreal, but Emery's men are still in a healthy position in the race for the Champions League spots.
With nine games to go they are 11 points clear of fifth-placed Espanyol and 12 in front of Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla. Emery said: "We have lost a battle, but we're still in the war."
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