FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.03.2008 15:02

Valdés: "We understand the fans are upset"

David Puig

Víctor Valdés has not looked for any excuses to justify why FC Barcelona were beaten by Real Betis Balompié after being two goals ahead at the break in a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

"We have to completely forget the second half in the Ruiz de Lopera," the Catalan keeper said. He also stated that he understood why the club's supporters were dismayed by the performance after Bojan Krkic and Samuel Eto'o had put the Blaugrana in a commanding lead before the half time interval. "We know that we have failed again and that we had a great chance to close in on the leaders," Valdés continued. "We did not know how to finish the game off having controlled it for so long. Betis grew in confidence in the second half when (Rafael) Sobis and (David) Odonkor and could not stop them. I understand why the fans feel upset and we are the first ones to want to end this run."

Pleased with Schalke game

There is almost no time to digest the defeat against Betis before Barça will be back in action in the Champions League on Tuesday. Valdés expects that the game against Schalke 04 will be "positive from every point of view. The Champions League is a very attractive competition for everyone and we can go into the game feeling confident and knowing that a good result will boost our morale."

Backing for Rijkaard

On the team meeting held before training to analyse the Betis defeat, Valdés did not go into many details, although he did say: "These meetings are always a good idea. We all in the same boat and I do not think that the team lacks attitude." Reflecting on Rijkaard's statement that he felt ashamed, the Barça keeper said: "We are all behind the coach and respect his opinion. More than shame, on the pitch the players felt completely deceived. I know that he was saddened by it. But he is a grand person with a strong personality and gives us real confidence."