CORBERÁN: "THE TEAM SHOWED THE MATURITY AND REACTION NEEDED"

Valencia CF manager Carlos Corberán analysed his team's victory against CD Leganés at Mestalla.

HIS ANALYSIS OF THE GAME

It's difficult to single out one player over another today, because today I saw a team that did what we had to do, on a day in which only one result was good enough for us. We can talk about specific names: Mosquera's first goal in his career with the first team, that very important goal scored by Diakhaby, where he received a tremendous ovation from the fans -because the fans value the effort he made and the suffering he had, and how hard he worked to be able to help the team right now.

I value him very much, but I also value the entire group. Rioja had gastroenteritis yesterday and played until the end of the game. Javi Guerra made a tremendous effort... and it is difficult today not to highlight other members of the team, because I saw the maturity and the reaction that was needed this afternoon at Mestalla.

A CHANGE OF IMAGE

We will work very hard to ensure that this does not happen again, and we will give our all in terms of our work. Today we are happy with the result, but we will not forget the FC Barcelona game, and I will not forget it. There is a feeling of being indebted to those 46,000 people who came to Mestalla, and I will carry that feeling with me until the last matchday, because we have to use it to continue competing and giving the showing that the team gave today.

THE PATH

The team showed today that we are on the right track. There is still a lot of work to do, but I really liked the reaction and response from the team, given the importance of this match due to our position in the table -and because it was a match in which we were coming off a painful defeat. And I value that a lot. Now, starting tomorrow, we will prepare for the next match.

THE EFFORT FROM THE TEAM

Luis Rioja can play on the left and on the right. The fact that Rioja has even managed to play for this club as a left back, speaks well not of me, but of him, his maturity, his dedication, his adaptation. I have never seen Rioja ask a question when I decided to change his position, but rather he has shown maturity and a lot of dedication to do it, with a lot of responsibility.

I think the team generated a very high volume of moves on the right flank, where Rioja was inverted. His shot was the action prior to the corner where we scored the first goal. I have seen crosses with his weaker foot, I have seen the team going deep very well on the right, and I really liked the team in those moments of the game, and in general in attack and defence.

The only thing we have to continue improving is those last minutes of the game, where we conceded some shooting opportunities, but against opponents with a similar approach to that which Barcelona had, I saw the team compete with the maturity that I wanted.

ATTITUDE

There is no doubt that we are at the beginning of this, but we competed with the attitude that I value and that I believe is the right one, and without a doubt when there is unity between Mestalla and the team, that will make it difficult for any team that comes here to be able to overcome Valencia CF.

HIS TEAM SELECTION

We have an objective and a priority, which is LaLiga, and today it was essential to arrive with energy. Thursday's match was affected by how recent last Sunday's match was, and by the risks or precautions that the Medical Service wanted to take with certain players who finished the Celta match with discomfort.

All of us who work at Valencia CF are aware of the greatness of this club, and none of us who love this club will forget that defeat.

NOT GIVING UP

There are 15 games left to fight for. We will keep fighting, because there is no other possibility or response. That is what this battle of endurance is. The team will never give up, and the team will fight until we achieve the objective. That is very clear to me.

DESIRE IN THE SQUAD

Since I arrived and started working at Valencia Club de Fútbol, I have seen a team with a great desire to turn the situation around. A team that is in pain and with the desire to work to change that dynamic. Only with that desire, with that involvement, is it possible to work and change it. Without that commitment, it is impossible. 

CHANGING FORMATION

With the formation, it isn't only about how we feel better, but also has with the match that you expect with respect to the opponents. Sometimes, playing with a line of five doesn't mean being more defensive, and playing with a line of four doesn't mean being more offensive. That is why we analyse, and why these are the aspects that we value when deciding on one approach or another, because there are opponents that have certain behaviours. We to try to convey our principles, which are to be solid and aggressive at the same time in defence, and to be a team that cause damage and are dominant in attack. There are times when one formation or another can make it easier for this.

MAX AARONS

Aarons is a player who will continue to help. The adaptation of players who come from another league and another country always takes time, but I see Aarons has a good mentality, which for me is important. He had not played a full game for a long time, and is more prepared to help the team after the minutes he had against Barcelona than if he had not had those minutes. I am convinced that he will continue to grow. Aarons will not only play if Foulquier is out; it also has to do with the approach and the intention of the team.

IVÁN JAIME

Iván Jaime is a versatile player, because he can play in the inside position or behind the striker. In front of the central midfielder he is like a number 10, and he also feels very comfortable on the left coming inside. He can also play on the right, linking up in interior areas.

It is important to have that versatility, to adapt to playing with the team according to the circumstances and the needs. But the most important thing I want to see in him is maturity, the desire to continue contributing, the desire to continue growing, because that will be the most important thing for him performing at his best.