Valverde: No Chance Of Europe Now

The defeat all but ends their hopes of reaching the Intertoto Cup next season and although there is still a mathematical possibility of them doing so, Valverde accepts that European football is not on the horizon for next season.

"Our chance of playing in Europe has gone, regardless of what the numbers say, because we are going through a period of weakness right now," he told reporters after the match.

Espanyol have the second worst record of any team in the second half of the season, but Valverde defended his players, insisting that they always give their maximum for the cause.

"The team didn't give up, we kept going but were unable to create any opportunities. This match was like running up a steep hill, the supporters got frustrated and we couldn't break through [Atletico's] wall of defence," he affirmed.

With such a poor run of form under their belt, Valverde believes that it is important for his team to be strong in their last two games of the campaign and put an end to their run of eight games without victory.

"We are the only ones who can get ourselves out of this rut... and thus the remaining matches are anything but worthless," he concluded.


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