Valencia boss condemns Rodri comments after Barcelona’s 5-0 win

Valencia manager Carlos Corberan has described comments made by Barcelona midfielder Rodri about his side as “extremely regrettable”, although he said the player had apologised to Valencia captain Jose Gaya.

Rodri was filmed speaking to Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi after being substituted during the clubs’ La Liga meeting in the fourth round. Barcelona won the match 5-0, and Rodri was heard saying: “They are a very bad team and offer nothing.”

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Valencia’s match against Sevilla, Corberan said Rodri’s remarks fell short of the respect expected between professional players.

“The words Rodri used were extremely regrettable,” said Corberan. “I do not think they came from a place of respect for fellow professionals.

“Rodri spoke to our captain, Jose Gaya, to apologise. We accept his public apology and understand that it was the appropriate apology.”

Corberan acknowledged that Rodri’s comments came in a conversation with one of his team-mates, but said the player had been leaving the Mestalla to applause from the home supporters at the time.

“Although it came in the context of a conversation with one of his team-mates, he had left the Mestalla amid applause from the fans,” added Corberan.

Valencia’s manager also argued that the outcome of the match might have been different had two key decisions gone in his team’s favour.

“We did not produce a great performance, but a penalty and a possible red card for Rodri for his challenge on Arnaut Danjuma could have changed the course of the game,” he said.

“Suddenly, perhaps those people he described as extremely bad would not have looked so bad.”

The result left Barcelona top of La Liga with 12 points from four matches. They have scored 17 goals and conceded two.

Valencia are bottom of the table with one point.

Barcelona will play Levante away on Sunday in the fifth round of La Liga, while Valencia host Sevilla on Friday.