Stoke were beaten 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium by Valencia on Thursday night in their Europa League last 32 first leg.
Mehmet Topal scored a stunning long-range effort to give the Spaniards the lead in the first half, and The Potters struggled to break down their experienced opponents.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis realised that it was a momentous occasion for his club, and was disappointed to come off on the wrong side of the result.
“Obviously it’s a great occasion for everybody and we played a top team. We needed a goal,” he told ESPN after the defeat.
“We were desperate to score first tonight and then that would have really have set everything alight.
“And we had a good couple of chances early on and they scored a wonder goal and it took the pressure off them a little bit.
“But it’s a great occasion for everybody,” he admitted.
Stoke take on Crawley Town in the FA Cup on Sunday before the repeat fixture against Valencia at the Mestalla next Thursday.
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By Gareth McKnight
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