Gary Neville calls for support of the fans after just over 10,000 turn up to see Valencia draw with Barcelona

The 1-1 result at the Mestalla meant Barca progressed to the final 8-1 on aggregate

Simon Rice
Thursday 11 February 2016 11:21 GMT
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Gary Neville post-match conference after Barcelona draw

Gary Neville has said he expects a full-house at the Mestalla at the weekend after just over 10,000 turned up to watch Valencia draw 1-1 with Barcelona in the second-leg of the their Copa del Rey semi-final tie.

The aggregate winner was never in doubt after Barcelona had mauled Valencia 7-0 in the first-leg.

Neville said after the match that he respected fans' right to stay away, but that he was expecting them to return when they host lowly Espanyol at the weekend.

"I am thankful to the fans who came here to support," the former Manchester United captain said.

"I'm also aware it's the right of the fans who didn't come tonight not to come.

"I think the stadium on Saturday will be full, it will be an electric atmosphere. We and the team need the fans more than ever on Saturday."

Neville will be looking to notch his first league win in La Liga at the 10th attempt.

The England assistant manager said he thought his side deserved to win against a much-changed Barcelona team last night.

Alvaro Negredo put the hosts on course for their first win against Barcelona in six years with his sixth goal since Neville took charge in November, but Wilfrid Kaptoum equalised with six minutes to go to rewrite the history books as Luis Enrique eclipsed Pep Guardiola's record of 28 matches without defeat.

"The positive thing is the performance of some of the youngest players," Neville said in his post-match press conference.

"And I think we deserved to win. These haven't been the best circumstances after the last week, but the players have played with dignity.

"We could have scored a second goal in the second half and that would have killed off the game, but they (Barcelona), have equalised on the counter attack."

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