Emery satisfied with grinding performance

Unai Emery was satisfied with Valencia’s effort as they progressed to the last eight of the Europa League with a 5-3 aggregate win over PSV.

A second-half goal from Adil Rami practically put the tie beyond PSV, who were unable to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg despite Ola Toivonen’s equaliser.

“We are satisfied to reach the quarters and also satisfied with our attitude, because we were firm and we played safe,” Emery told EFE.

“In that sense, we did our job and we were able to control the game, based on the scoreline from the first leg.”

“We had a lot of respect for PSV. We knew about their attacking potential and they had a lot of chances to score, though we also showed clarity when we went out to attack.”

“We could not possess the ball enough to do them more damage, but the draw also gives us the feeling that we played seriously.”

Despite scoring Valencia’s only goal of the match, Rami was not free from criticism from his coach after being sent off for a late challenge on Toivonen.

“Although Rami was provoked, it is a shame that there was no self-control because we have discussed and worked this during the season,” Emery said.

“We cannot allow (a player to make) such actions. In Europe, these actions do not go unpunished. What he did was reprehensible and we cannot allow things like this.”