Mata to Koeman: Some things are said that should stay on the pitch

Getafe secured a surprise victory over Barcelona on Saturday in slightly controversial circumstances, with visiting coach Ronald Koeman accusing Getafe player Allan Nyom of lacking respect. Yet striker and match-winner Jaime Mata was adamant that this was the frustration of defeat speaking.

Mata scored the winning goal from the penalty spot and spoke to the press after the match to defend his teammate, insisting that it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I haven't had a chance to talk to Nyom," Mata responded.

"Koeman was a player before becoming a coach and on the pitch we say loads of things out of context and without sense. We all have the ability and maturity to know that these things are said on the pitch.

"If he says that Nyom has said something to him, I'm sure he's said something back to Nyom. They are things that stay on the pitch.

"In the end it's what happens. When you lose you usually look to blame other people, but it happens to us all. When you lose you look away, but you have to look at our work."

The victory was clearly a memorable one for Getafe, coming off the back of a thrashing from Real Sociedad last time out, and Mata only wished that Getafe's fans were present to take it in.

"We woke up and we spoke about how it's a shame not to be able to enjoy this with the fans," he said.

"They are special games and it's a shame not to share it with your people."

The forward was also keen to ensure that credit was given to the Azulones for their performance, refusing to put the result down to the poor form of Barcelona.

"It's true that Barcelona weren't good, but you have to give credit to Getafe who were good," he insisted.

"Many times we were on top and it's why we won. More than discrediting our opposition, it's to our credit.

"Against the big teams you always have an extra motivation because we aren't all working with the same conditions."

It was Mata's strike that decided the tie, converting from the penalty spot after a Frenkie de Jong foul, having missed the last time he took a penalty, in the heartbreaking final day defeat to Levante which cost Getafe a Europa League spot.

"It was liberating," he admitted.

"When you take a penalty you expose yourself. Last time I didn't convert and you're hoping that it happens again to get rid of the fear and feel secure again. In that sense I felt confident."