Valverde still hopeful despite defeat

Valencia coach Ernesto Valverde admits his side were overwhelmed by PSG after losing 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League clash.

Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring for PSG within 10 minutes before Javier Pastore doubled the visitors’ advantage before half-time.

Adil Rami grabbed a late consolation for Valencia moments before Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw red for a rash challenge on Andres Guardado meaning he will likely miss the second leg of the round-of-16 contest on March 7.

“We have to admit PSG are a very strong team with big players. We were wary of their ability to counterattack and we tried to avoid it,” Valverde said.

“In the first half we didn’t play well because we were penned into the wrong half as well as allowing them to counter attack. But, surprisingly, they scored when we were on the defensive.”

The result means Valencia face a tough challenge to overturn a crucial deficit when the sides meet at the Parc des Princes for the return fixture.

“We didn’t get a good result because losing at home is bad when you go into the return leg,” Valverde said.

“It’s going to be difficult but there are still 90 minutes left and we will do everything to go through.

“Now we have to focus on La Liga and then when the time to go to Paris comes, we’ll try to win. It will be difficult.”