Valencia's Navarro apologises for losing his head

MADRID, Mar 7 (Reuters) Valencia substitute David Navarro has said he feels ashamed by his behaviour after punching Inter Milan midfielder Nicolas Burdisso in the face at the end of his side's away goals victory over Inter Milan.

''I've never behaved this way before and I'm sure my family will be very disappointed in me,'' the defender was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca today.

''I'm ashamed and very much regret what I did. I haven't seen the television pictures and the truth is I don't want to either.

I'm upset because I've never done anything like this in my life before nor will I again.'' Navarro sprinted off the bench at the end of the 0-0 draw at the Mestalla as his team mate Carlos Marchena and Inter midfielder Burdisso squared up to each other.

Navarro floored Burdisso with a punch in the face and was pursued by several Inter players as he ran off the pitch. Inter coach Roberto Mancini said the Argentine's nose had been broken.

A mass brawl developed in the centre of the pitch and the incidents continued in the tunnel as several Inter players tried to follow Navarro into the dressing room.

Security guards intervened, but it took several minutes before the situation calmed down. Local media reported that Navarro left the stadium by a back door.

''When I saw that they were going for Carlos (Marchena) I ran on the pitch,'' said Navarro. ''I saw Burdisso and was going to separate them, but I just lost my head.

''I expect to be punished. I very much regret what happened and I will accept whatever punishment I am given.'' The defender added that he would try and ring Burdisso to apologise.

VENDETTA BANNER The game was an intense affair throughout with the tone set when Valencia fans unveiled a giant banner with the word ''vendetta'' at the start of the game in reference to recent defeats at the hands of the Italians in European competition.

The match was littered by stoppages and petty fouls in which the two well organised defences successfully stifled any attacking play.

Valencia centre-backs Roberto Ayala and Raul Albiol were outstanding as they shackled Inter strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hernan Crespo and the Spaniards took full advantage of their 2-2 draw at the San Siro to go through on the away goals rule.

''It was obvious after the first leg that this was going to be a war, a battle to see who went through,'' Valencia midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo told reporters.

''It was a very intense game and the team that was more effective away from home went through.'' Victory means Valencia have now reached the quarter-finals or beyond in four of their five appearances since the European Cup was revamped as the Champions League.

They made back-to-back final appearances in 2000 and 2001, losing first to Real Madrid and then Bayern Munich.

REUTERS PDS KP1854