Corberán: "The team are able to take points and want to compete"

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán spoke in a press conference before the midweek LaLiga game against RCD Mallorca.

The mood in the camp

The reality is that the team have 35 points, and our goal is to get as many as possible. That's our mentality, and that's what we want. Hugo Duro, who has been dealing with some discomfort, will rejoin the squad tomorrow. Cömert hasn't been able to train, and Unai isn't available to play. Those are the absences. The rest of us -the staff and the players- are eager to play and responsible, aware of what's at stake. We wish we had the chance to play earlier. We're looking forward to competing again tomorrow.

Assessment of the current situation

Right now, my mind isn't focused on what went wrong, on budgets, or on a concept as ambiguous as Financial Fair Play. We know we need more points, and we're focused on improving our offensive and defensive stats, taking steps forward in competitive aspects. That's the mentality: to go to Mallorca tomorrow and get it done.

Improving the team's performance

I see the team as very capable of picking up points and prepared to face difficult moments: The inherent challenges of the season, the need for points, the circumstances that arise, the injuries… I see the team as fully prepared and eager for tomorrow's match.

Needing to pick up points after the defeat in Elche

The games against Elche and Mallorca were different. In Elche, we didn't get the result we could have. We were able to improve, we reduced their ability to create chances, and there were some positive aspects, but the result wasn't what we wanted. We'll play with a specific centre-back, but we have alternatives, whether playing with a back four or a back five. We have to defend well as a team. We'll achieve that depending on how we perform as a unit.

Confidence from the club

When a team, especially a big club, aren't getting positive results, you have to live with that expectation and get used to it. From day one, I've always felt their onfidence, and with that confidence comes a high level of self-discipline. I share that with the staff and the players.

The team's mentality

A football match is the sum of many components: Physical, tactical, mental… you have to be able to play and compete in matches. There's a tactical aspect, and each side is different. Overcoming pressure, being able to attack in a more fluid, more direct way… The tactical game is always there. Then there's the part about knowing how to compete in matches: Managing the mental aspect. Focusing on the positives when you're ahead, adapting when you're behind. There are details that come into play. And as a team, you have to be able to manage everything to achieve results.

Backing from the dressing room

I have absolute faith in the squad's belief. There are questions I can't answer. Do I have faith, even in the situation we're facing? Of course I do. We have faith, the mentality, and the desire to overcome this situation. I see a squad that are incredibly dedicated to the cause, capable of self-criticism, and don't dwell on excuses, but rather take responsibility. When things aren't going well, we work to change them. I feel the team is the same as on day one; there are times when things go well, and there are times when they don't. The first thing people look at is always the coach. When we win, we might think we're the best team, but we're not, and when we lose, we could think that we do everything terribly wrong, which also isn't true. We have to work with high standards and self-criticism. The first person who will admit he isn't satisfied with the points we have is Corberán, but I believe in my squad. I think we could have gotten more points, and we're working to get them in this final stretch of the season.

Needing to get points

We're very aware of that situation and take responsibility for it. The points we have make us feel that way. We're committed to our current situation.

Analysis of RCD Mallorca

Mallorca aren't just Vedat Muriqi; he's an important striker, and his stats speak for themselves. He's very comfortable playing in that position, and when he's near the box he's dangerous. At Mestalla, we already worked on keeping him away from the area. The appointment of Demichelis has had an effect, concentrating their play in the middle. We need to manage the game well defensively.

Focus on the match against RCD Mallorca

We're focused on getting our best performance -both offensively and defensively. That's the nature of football; sometimes you get results, sometimes you don't. We take every match seriously. Our goal is to get as many points as possible in this situation.