Bordalás: “The team showed a good attitude to achieve the victory against CD Utrillas”

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás spoke in a press conference after going through the first round of Copa del Rey.

Can any conclusion be drawn from this victory?

You can always draw positive conclusions. Even when you play a first Copa del Rey tie against a team from divisions below us. Today we were playing in a different scenario than usual, one that we are not used to, and we had to adapt. The team did well. We struggled a bit, but from the first goal onwards the team showed a good attitude. The team completed the task, achieved the victory and we got through this first round.

Did you want to take advantage of this game so that players could take a step forward?

Above all, it is important for players coming back from injuries like Maxi Gómez, Lato and Cheryshev. You are giving them minutes, and also to some of the youth team players and others like Koba Leïn or Marcos André, who are playing less. These are games that are good for all of them to get on the pace and have minutes, which helps in LaLiga.

What impression did CD Utrillas give you?

I liked the team. They were very organised and they did a great job defensively. They weren't disorganised. From the second goal onwards we had more chances and more space. They are a team who are leading their division, have only lost one match in official competition, and are playing in a category that has a good level.

What is your assessment of Koba Leïn's performance, and his development?
Despite the fact that today the opposition were from a lower division and that, therefore, it is necessary to draw conclusions with great caution, he had a good game. He scored a goal, he showed for the ball, he was solvent in midfield, he won duels for the ball and I am happy because he had a great game. He is a player who can help us.