Bordalás: "With these fans, the team are going to grow and we are going to do beautiful things"

José Bordalás spoke to the press following the 2-1 win against Cádiz CF.

Mission accomplished: The team are in the semifinals

It’s very important. We are very happy. We must congratulate the fans, who were sensational. The atmosphere was awesome. There were moments at the end that gave us goosebumps. They showed a huge commitment to the team. I congratulate the players as well. It has been difficult. There are no easy games. Cádiz CF had a great game and it was a hard-fought victory for us. We are happy and we are in the semifinals.

Three years ago you were in the away dugout when Hugo Duro had his situation. Football owed him one tonight, right?

In that moment Hugo Duro prevented a goal from his own team and that allowed Valencia CF to go through. He is a player who has huge commitment. I'm happy for him and for the team, because he put us into the semifinals.

What did you think of the new arrivals today?

I liked them a lot. Bryan Gil is a difference maker. He was very excited and played really well. He has trained very little with the team, but he was very good. Ilaix gave us a lot. Eray found it a little more difficult. We have to take into account that he isn’t familiar with LaLiga, but we trust that he will adapt and that he is going to help the team.

It was difficult for the team to create play in some phases of the game.

Things became very difficult in the middle of the park. They got on top of us as soon as we tried to circulate the ball. We lost several balls in midfield. Hugo Guillamón lost several balls because he got overconfident. We have to move it around faster. We had difficulties. We lacked experience of how to handle the final minutes. We always end up suffering. We have to be able to handle those last minutes. It's a young team and you can't blame them. I congratulate him because they gave everything.

Can this dynamic with the fans catapult the team to better things?

I'm sure that it will. We are still in time to improve our situation in LaLiga. In the cup we had this opportunity to be in the semifinals and we achieved it. With these fans, the team are going to grow and we are going to do beautiful things from here to the end of the season. I do not have any doubt about that.

Do the goosebumps at the fans’ reaction serve to heal what you have experienced in the last few weeks of the winter transfer market and what you transmitted in the last press conference?

I am very excited and I have not had bad weeks. The closing of the market happens to every team, because it is not easy. I am happy. If my hairs stand on end, with the experience I have, it means that I am happy, that the fans and the club are impressive. My wish is to bring joy to the fans.

In the second half, you introduced Foulquier into the midfield. What were you looking for?

They were overcoming us in the midfield and we wanted one more man there. We had already tested Foulquier in that position and he was going to provide a boost in pressure. We tried to have superiority in midfield. I made several modifications because I try to find solutions. It doesn't always go well. Today we are happy because the team won and we deserved to be in the semifinals.

What can Foulquier give you in midfield? Do you see him in a double pivot?

It is not a natural position for him. He is a player who has not been successful with the ball, in his passes, but he gives everything. He plays as a winger, as a right back, in the middle... He is a team player with a huge commitment. He was looking for solutions. Ilaix can contribute a lot for us too. He is capable of overcoming the defensive lines and also surprised me in the air.

The spotlights are on Hugo Duro, but what did you think of Maxi Gómez, who practically forced Cala's sending off?

He played really well. He helped us a lot. He held the balls and pressed. He has a great commitment and is working hard to grow. He caused the Cádiz player to be sent off and I am very happy with his contribution. He was happy because he knows that he is doing well. Everyone's commitment is enormous. The team are in a period of growth, because I see it every day.

The team are in the semifinals. Do you see this team as capable of winning the cup?

We are in semifinals. Let's see what the draw has in store for us. There is no longer any easy opposition in the draw. Today wasn’t easy. We will face the semifinal with the utmost interest to continue bringing joy to the fans. Regardless of the opposition, the team will give everything to reach the final.

Do you have a goalkeeper in mind for this weekend? Is there a debate about the position?

There is no discussion. They are all team players. Today Jaume played and on Sunday we will see who plays. I decide based on what I see. Today Jaume did really well. Giorgi is working very well and Jasper is injured. We are happy and they have great commitment. It is important to have all the players willing to help.

Are you worried that the team may not be able to dominate the game in some phases of the match?

That's just how it is. There are no easy games. We are seeing it in the league. It is very difficult to win games, and today it was difficult for us because the opposition wanted to be in the semifinals. We have to be able to manage the final minutes of games, both in the first and in the second half. It has cost us a lot of points in the league: Against Real Madrid and against RCD Espanyol. That gives you experience and we will learn.