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Valencia coach Baraja: Real Madrid can't complain about 'last play'

Valencia coach Ruben Baraja can understand Real Madrid's anger after Saturday night's 2-2 draw.

Real came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 on the day. A winner from Jude Bellingham was denied by ref Jesus Gil Manzano, who blew fulltime before the goal went in for the visitors. Bellingham was then shown a red card for his protests.

Baraja said: "The game was tense and a lot of things happened. Our first half was quite good and we were pressuring and they felt uncomfortable. The 2-1 score was not fair in the first half.

"Then in the second half we had more situations. We had it 3-1 and we didn't do it. The feeling is that in the final half with the 2-2 score the team made a final push that we could have scored the goal. There will be controversy. I understand that Real Madrid protest as long as it is with respect. I see that the referee is the last action and he is blowing his whistle before the Real Madrid player crosses, therefore it is not a valid action.

"The tension makes me experience it like this. Without disrespect, you can talk to the referee or the fourth referee. Logically, there was tension in the match. The feeling is that there are times when we protest too much. I wasn't paying attention to Vinicius. I protest too. Also I spoke with the referee at the end of the first half. I don't think there are any differences with Real Madrid's protests."

On the fans, he said: "It's normal for the fans to push. Historically it has been like that. As long as we don't lack respect they can push. I think Mestalla has given a good feeling with the atmosphere typical of this category. What happened doesn't have to happen again, but today I only had good feelings."

On the final play, Baraja concluded: "I have seen it clearly because the referee when he goes to the corner says that it is the last play and he whistled clearly before. Also in the first half he added five and they scored against us in that injury time."

Video of the day:

Carlos Volcano
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Carlos Volcano

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