Valencia boss Nuno has admitted that his team have struggled this season without Argentine centre-back Nicolas Otamendi.
The Argentine international played a key role in Valencia's fourth-place finish in La Liga last season after joining from Porto.
The 27-year-old made a big-money move to Manchester City in the summer window, however, and Nuno has conceded that the loss of the defender has been felt this term.
"It's clear [losing Otamendi hurt]. He was with us until a week before we played Monaco," Nuno told AS.
"Nico let us defend a different way. His virtue was his anticipation and that made the team play differently. We can't be the same with him as without him."
Otamendi has made seven Premier League appearances for Man City this season.
