📺 VCF Media interviews Mangala: "We have to be effective in both areas"

Valencia CF have Athletic Club on their minds, as they take on the Basque side this weekend on Matchday 13 of the LaLiga season. Part of the back line that kept a clean sheet against Eibar on Monday, centre back Eliaquim Mangala spoke to VCF Media to talk about the plan for the upcoming fixture.

The most important thing now is Saturday's game. We have to go game-by-game. We are focused on doing our best against Athletic Club and claiming the three points. We have to get a good result and we will play to win," the Frenchman said.

"The game against SD Éibar was tough and a draw is not a bad result. We kept a clean sheet, which is the way forward for us."

As Mangala explains, the evenly matched Spanish top flight means that victories carry extra significance.

"Things are tight in the table. We almost all have the same points. If we had won against SD Éibar, then we would have climbed to seventh place. We are all in the mix. There are many games still to be played, but for us the most important game is on Saturday."

A defensive improvement could have a massive effect on claiming victories, and Mangala is ready to do his bit for the cause.

"We must continue on the same path. Little-by-little we are showing that we are a team that are very united and we are managing to defend a little better," commented the defender.

"Against SD Eibar we kept a clean sheet, whilst against Atletico Madrid we only conceded once. If we continue to defend like this and take the chances we have, we can change things. That is why we have to earn the three points against Athletic Club."

"It's very positive that we had a clean sheet at Ipurua. We struggled, as is normal at that ground, but we achieved our aim of not conceding; if you don't concede, then you can't lose the game," Mangala continued. "That's the mentality we have for the game on Saturday. We will have to fight again, and if we are able to do that then we can continue to improve."

"The shutout on Monday wasn't just down to Gabriel Paulista and I. The whole team were very supportive of each other."

"As the coach says, we have to be effective in both areas: Defending and attacking. If we can take that step forward, we can score more points.

The Eibar was also an important game for Mangala on a personal level, as he played the entirety of the fixture.

"It was the first time this season that I had played 90 minutes. Found it a little difficult, but I feel good and we have to keep working. I will be available whenever the coach needs me."