Valencia coach Jose Bordalas feels their Copa del Rey semifinal is delicately poised after their 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao for the first-leg.
Raúl García gave Athletic the lead before the break, but Hugo Duro managed to level for Valencia in the 65th minute.
Bodalas said, “Valencia CF had a great game against a team that is in fantastic form, having just eliminated FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. We have the feeling that we could have come away with the victory if we had been awarded the penalty on Hugo Duro.”
On a penalty call for Duro being denied, Bordalas shrugged it off.
“Live it is difficult even for the referee to judge. We do not hold José Luis responsible because he had a fantastic game amidst a great atmosphere, a lot of pressure and two teams with a very high level of intensity. When we entered the dressing room and saw the move, everyone agreed that it was a very clear penalty. We do not understand why VAR did not review the action and help the referee who is on the pitch. The same with the play in which Carlos Soler was brought down, which we believe was a direct red card.”
The VCF coach also said, “The fans are going to be behind the team. Today the team showed up and had very good moments against a very strong side, which put pressure on us and made it 1-0, but we got back into the game and we have got the the equalising goal. The tie is 50%, we have to play the second leg and I’m sure the fans will be behind the team.
“We’re no closer than three hours ago. If it there were away goals, we could say that there is a certain advantage, but we are tied, and the second leg remains. It is true that we will play at home, but this is football. Today we could think that Athletic would have an advantage with the atmosphere of their fans, but this is football in its purest form, with two teams with a very high level of intensity and ambition. The tie is 50-50, of that I have no doubt.”
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