Llorente praises team after Chelsea draw

The president was content with the game's outcome, stating that either team could have won, while also praising the play of goalkeeper Diego Alves.Valencia president Manuel Llorente expressed his satisfaction after the club's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night.After Frank Lampard opened the scoring early in the first half, a late penalty kick from Robert Soldado earned the Spanish club a share of the points at the Mestalla in Group E. "We have enjoyed a sensational game," Llorente told Superdeporte.es after the match. "Valencia gave great effort. The two teams could have won." The president of the club since 2009, the 59-year-old was delighted with the effort of all the players, especially goalkeeper Diego Alves, who made numerous crucial saves in the second half. "Alves has been sensational," Llorente said of the Brazilian, who also peformed well in the team's first group stage match, a 0-0 draw with Genk. "The whole team has made a big effort and the fans have been supporting us until the end, and that is to thank the [player's] effort. We would have liked to have won, obviously, but given the circumstances, the draw is good."Valencia will now face German side Bayer Leverkusen in their next Champions League encounter.