Europa League

Five Manic Minutes Overshadowed Our Performance Against Slavia Prague - Valencia Coach Unai Emery

Los Che's coach insists qualification is still in their hands...

Nov 5, 2009 9:01:17 PM

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Unai Emery, Valencia (MARCA)

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Valencia coach Unai Emery has said that five minutes overshadowed an otherwise dominant performance in their 2-2 draw away to Slavia Prague in the Europa League.

Los Che had looked comfortable after a first half penalty from Joaquin and a second half strike from Hedwiges Maduro gave them a 2-0 lead but the hosts roared back with two goals in the space of three minutes from Petr Janda and Peter Grajciar that secured a share of the spoils for the Czechs.

"We've been better, although in five minutes, in just two actions, all has been undone," Emery said afterwards, according to Super Deporte.

"We can speak of a defensive error that made it 2-1, and after that a refereeing mistake for the second goal, because the free-kick was taken ten yards from where the foul was."

Despite letting two points slip the coach remains optimistic that his side can secure progression to the next round with two games remaining, against Lille and Genoa, who can both still qualify from the group.

"Qualifying [for the knockout stages] is in our hands, but everything has evened out," he said.

Paul Madden, Goal.com