Emery: We were at Barcelona's mercy

Posted Monday, February 20, 2012 by ESPN

Valencia coach Unai Emery admits his side did not have any answers for Barcelona after they were mauled by the La Liga champions 5-1 on Sunday.

Pablo Piatti gave Los Che a shock lead in the 9th minute, before Lionel Messi grabbed four for Barca to put the result beyond doubt.

The Argentine then turned provider when he laid on a fifth for Xavi, and Emery admits his team were completely outplayed on Sunday evening.

"We had a bad game," Emery told AS. "It's a painful defeat because we have been so inferior.

"On other days we have played good games; today [Sunday] was quite the opposite.

"It's not whether it was humiliating or not; it's just the way they were far superior. We were at their mercy.

"We saw the best version of Barcelona and one of the worst version of Valencia. Clearly we were poles apart."

The defeat at the Nou Camp capped off a miserable day for Los Che after it was revealed earlier on Sunday that midfielder Ever Banega would be out for six months after breaking his ankle in a car accident, something Emery admits is a blow.

"It's unfortunate news in every way," Emery added. "Obviously we are concerned and most importantly we hope he gets well soon.

"But now we must look for alternatives."

Valencia play Stoke in midweek in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-32 tie, before returning to La Liga action on Sunday when they entertain Sevilla.