Nuno rues Rodrigo injury after loss to Atletico

Rodrigo's first-half injury was a pivotal moment in
Valencia's 2-1 loss at Atletico Madrid in La Liga,
according to coach Nuno.

Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo felt an injury to striker
Rodrigo was a pivotal moment in his team's 2-1 loss to Atletico
Madrid.

The La Liga encounter at Estadio Vicente Calderon was goalless
in the first half when Rodrigo pulled up during a Valencia attack
and left the field on a stretcher.

Errors from the visiting centre-backs Shkodran Mustafi and
Aderlan Santos gifted the opening goal to Jackson Martinez and
Atleti's Belgium international midfielder Yannick Ferreira
Carrasco added a superb second before the break.

Rodrigo's replacement Paco Alcacer reduced the arrears from
the penalty spot with 18 minutes remaining but Los Che were
unable to force an equaliser.

"There were two important moments," Nuno said. "Rodrigo's
injury disrupts our plans and the first goal, it's a mistake,
obviously.

"We have tried to balance and push higher in the second half.

"In the first part we could not control the game, we could not
create. In the second half we improved and we were close to
what we want.

"We had a chance to equalise. We must rectify and work harder
to be what we want."

"We are not proud but we are convinced that we must continue
working in this way."

Nuno refused to be drawn on whether Rodrigo's expected
absence would result in Alvaro Negredo being brought in from
the cold – the former Sevilla and Manchester City forward
having once again missed out on a place in the matchday
squad, as he did for Tuesday's Champions League encounter
against Gent.

"This week we prepared the game with a plan, with players we

thought were best," Nuno added.
"For next the game we'll use our best options too."
Valencia are in action next Saturday at home to local rivals
Levante, who sacked coach Lucas Alcaraz following a 4-0 loss
to Real Sociedad on Sunday.