Barcelona deserved victory in Valencia, claims Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique felt his side's efforts were not
fully rewarded as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia at
the Mestalla on Saturday.

The Spanish champions were denied a seventh consecutive La
Liga victory when Santi Mina cancelled out Luis Suarez's
opener four minutes from time in front of newly-appointed
Valencia coach Gary Neville.

Neville took a watching brief as Valencia earned a draw with a
spirited display, but Luis Enrique felt Barca were deserving of
maximum points.

"There is nothing to criticise the team for. We have owned the
game and we have almost not suffered throughout," he told
reporters.

"Today football has not repaid our effort but Valencia have
worked very well in defence and then taken advantage of a great
move at the end with [Paco] Alcacer and Santi Mina.

"We have players of a very high standard and we tried to close
the game but this has not been the case. The result, on merit,
should be a victory but this is the greatness of football.

"Yesterday I discussed the previous work of [former Valencia
coach] Nuno and I saw that they are very good in both attack
and defence. They are one of the best in the league and it has
not surprised me. Not at all."

Minutes before opening the scoring, Suarez enraged Valencia
defender Aymen Abdennour and the home fans with an
apparent stamp on the Tunisian.

Luis Enrique insisted he did not see the incident.

"I repeat. I have not reached the level of MacGyver," he said.

"I cannot see all actions and do everything. I have enough to do
running the show."