Bordalás: “The players know that this is the way to keep improving and growing”

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás reacted to his side’s 1-4 win against CA Osasuna at El Sadar in his post-match press conference.

You have a defined squad, the team have 10 points out of 12, and the feeling is very good. Would it be very daring to ask the team to fight to get into Europe?

That question is always asked when you are in a good run of results. We have our feet on the ground since this has just begun and we must go step by step. This is football, so we have to congratulate the players. The team were able to react and equalise. We went to halftime with the score at 1-1 against a very well structured, hard-working and strong team. In the second half the team did a fantastic job, we played faster and Guedes scored two goals to give us confidence and peace of mind. From there, we controlled the game at all times. I want to congratulate the players and enjoy these three points. We are not thinking of anything else. Starting tomorrow, we will prepare the next fixture.

You have broken an eight-month run of not winning away from home. How do statistics influence you?

Obviously the statistics are there. It is normal and we all see them and analyse them. As a team, we also analyse the work that has been done previously, what we have to influence and improve to bring balance to the team, but we do not think beyond the immediate future. When we prepare for a game we do not think any further ahead than trying to grow and improve, using the opposition to get better. Today we were able to score four goals and play consistently against an Osasuna who are very strong at home, and we managed to be the better side. We must keep our feet on the ground and go game-by-game, because there is still a long way to go. It is a long road -a marathon- and you cannot get euphoric. The players know that this is the way to keep improving and to keep growing.

How are Gayà and Cheryshev?

Cheryshev was not comfortable. He noticed discomfort in his knee and we had to take him off, but we are confident that it is not a major injury. The symptoms were not good, but we trust that it is not serious. Gayà cooled down in the dressing room and his calf tightened up. He received treatment but it was not possible for him to continue, so we subbed him off as well.

The team are not collapsing when they concede, both against Granada and today. Did you expect to instil this aspect so quickly?

It is not easy. You take charge of players who -in the vast majority of cases- were never with you before, but they have been very receptive. They have a huge desire to improve aspects of their game and the numbers compared to previous seasons. The only thing I do is try to instil an ambitious and winning mentality, which has always been my job. If something has stood out, it is that I have always improved the players’ stats.

How have you worked with Guedes so that today we can see him playing very well?

He is a fantastic player with very high commitment. I tell him every day that he has the quality to make a difference, and he is showing that at the start of the season. He knows that he can give us much more, and I want to congratulate him and the other players. They have helped us a lot with their goals and with their hard work.

What is the key to what you have done for the team to give off such a positive feeling and results in the four games played to date?

Here there is no key; it’s hard work. I do not believe in luck, I believe in work, and work is what has made me grow as a professional since I started. My job is to work with the players so that they are better every day.

What do you think about the club not allowing responses on social media?

Honestly, I don’t know what you are talking about. My mind is focused on the team. I am a person who experiences my profession with great passion. It is not a subject that I know about, nor in which I can help. I can only thank our fans for the support with which they have welcomed me. I will give absolutely everything, but my field is the sporting side, and I cannot enter into assessing a situation that I do not know about.