Baraja: “We have competed as a team and moved on to the next round, which was our obligation”

Valencia CF coach, Rubén Baraja, gave a press conference after the victory against SD Ejea in the second round of the Copa del Rey.

Objective achieved

“The objective was to move on to the next round. We played the game that had to be played to try to achieve that, with the difficulties that these games have. We have adapted well and we have advanced to the next round, which was our obligation.”

The match

“These games are about maturing, working on them, maintaining the intensity and concentration, keeping the scoreline healthy, and we knew that it was a game with a lot of second actions and trying to play when the ball came down. Then you go 0-1 up, which gives you confidence, except for the 8 minutes in which we had some slightly difficult times when we conceded to make it 1-2, but then we made it 1-3 and decided the tie. I'm happy and I congratulate the players because we worked well and going through to the next round was our obligation. We have seen how the Copa del Rey is full of surprises and what you don't want is for your game to be one of them. Let's keep going."

Pepelu

"He had a knock, he was in pain, but he is fine. It is important that the players who participated in the match, such as Germán -who had some chances- Dani- who scored a goal-, Rafa -who also scored a goal-, did what they did,  because it is positive that everyone contributes. The objective today was to compete as a team and it is also good that there are players who are showing themselves and doing things to get us through to the next round. We need to try things too and we tried with Fran on the right wing as a sweeper, as another alternative, and with Pepelu in that central position to give us an outlet and a good start to our play from the back."

Defensive actions

“I had the feeling that we weren't fragile. In the first half, we didn't have many actions in which they put us in difficulty, and in the second there were 3 or 4 situations where crosses came in, but the team were solvent, solid and we didn't concede too much. This is our objective."

Rafa Mir

“His return to the team is down to the state of his injury and we have to be careful with his return to the competition. He had some good minutes, he scored, and he will gradually gain minutes to try to find his form. He has been out for 3 months and needs time. He is already back with us and he is one more member of the squad, without a doubt”.

Iker Córdoba

“He is in a process of growth. Since preseason he had some very good signs that he could do well, and the feeling we have is that his growth has been fantastic. Being able to give him moments and games, like we did last season with Yarek, we think that he is a player who could have the possibility of being with the first team or competing. He has something special: He has character, temperament and personality, and this has a lot of value. It will depend on his performance.”

Fran Pérez

“He is a player with the characteristics to play on the wing. In a line of 5, as a sweeper, he can work well, as he has speed and dribbling skills. For him, it is a step up in terms of the level of demand and he has had a very good attitude. He had a very solid game