Rami relieved after Valencia overcome Leverkusen

Adil Rami viewed Valencia CF's 3-1 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen as a result of resounding significance given that Group E opponents Chelsea FC and KRC Genk drew in Belgium, but Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack found it hard to accept that his team took nothing from the match.

Adil Rami, Valencia CF defender
I am just delighted for the team, the coach, the fans — for everyone — that we won, plus it is a very sweet feeling to have scored a goal. It was difficult for us irrespective of our early goal because, exactly as we expected, Leverkusen proved they have a squad full of quality. The points situation meant that a win for them, or a scoring draw, would practically guarantee them reaching the next round whereas we absolutely had to win, so there was lots of pressure.

Obviously it is good that Chelsea drew. They now have to go to Germany on matchday five and win — that will be an excellent game. I have got total confidence in my team although a difficult match lies ahead against Genk. We will treat it as yet another final. Then of course we finish by playing at Chelsea. Even when we go there, I have faith in our class; in football anything can happen.

Tino Costa, Valencia midfielder
We knew it was vital to win our home game. In the end we did it in style.
The early goal helped us and we held on when they were trying to hit us with quick breaks. I am delighted about the result but not with the fact that Éver Banega is injured because he was performing really well and standing out as our best player. Tonight marked a month and a half since I last played and you lose your sharpness and the signature moves which define you. This is the Champions League and it is still feasible to lose any game, home or away, but our objective is to win here against Genk then get a good result at Chelsea. Above all, I just hope that Éver returns quickly from his injury.

Michael Ballack, Leverkusen midfielder
It is very frustrating that we did not win. The game could not have started worse for us, conceding a goal in the first minute, but we came back, we recovered very quickly. We created a few chances and we were good — good enough to equalise. It seemed to me we had the game under control but in the middle of the second half they scored another which never should happen from this position. Even then we came back. To lose 3-1 is very disappointing — we deserved much more.

Encouraging and giving leadership is what I try to do because of my age and experience. We have a young team with a lot of talent so I try to lead. That's not always easy but I do my best. Today I am not happy. However we are still in second position in the group.