Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo said his players left the Santiago Bernabeu with their heads held high Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo praised Valencia after the La Liga high-flyers boosted their UEFA Champions League hopes with a 2-2 draw at Real Madrid.
Valencia - fourth in the standings - moved four points clear of Sevilla, which is due to play Sunday, in the race for the Champions League playoff spot despite surrendering a two-goal halftime lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego both on target.
Goals from Pepe and Isco spared Real from defeat, but Valencia was undoubtedly the happier of the two teams after the final whistle on Saturday.