Corberán: "We weren't at the level required"

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán appeared at a press conference after the defeat against FC Barcelona on LaLiga Matchday 21.

Assessment

“I always like to take full responsibility for things that happen on the pitch, and when we have been outclassed in a match, it is time to self-criticise and see why we didn't compete at the level that the match demands, what the club we represent demand, and we have not had the intensity or the ability to match FC Barcelona."

The result

“When one suffers a comprehensive result, through not having competed at the level that we have as a team, at the level that wearing the shirt demands of us, there is no more painful feeling than that”.

Controversial actions

“When one receives a result like the one we had, it is difficult to evaluate refereeing decisions because we are the ones responsible. In this case, I'm the coach and leader of the team. It's very difficult for me to query decisions that may be questionable. It is like not respecting the Valencia CF fans enough if we start talking about the referee, instead of the self-criticism that one has to do to correct what happened. We did not compete at the level that we have, and what we represent.”

Sadiq

“We needed other players at that time. With the change that Yarek asked for and the substitution because of Foulquier's situation, we adjusted the team and we made the changes that we thought necessary.”

Learning

“I'm not taking lessons into the cup tie. I'm taking them to tomorrow and the next match, because what a result like this demands is a proportional reaction to the defeat. That must be the reaction of the team: To the pain, to the impotence and to the feeling that this defeat leaves you with. And that reaction is the only one I am looking for.”

The match

“On an emotional and tactical level it is impossible to salvage something positive from this. In terms of our play, we were outclassed inside and outside, and when a team are so outclassed I am responsible for the approach, for the intensity -because from the beginning we didn't compete at the level that the players have. We are better than what we showed.”

The Copa del Rey game

“I am not worried at all. I am concerned about the feelings of our fans, and they need to know that we are with them, that we are responsible and that we are going to react so as not to repeat this -and fight even harder for our objective.”

A message to the fans

“The message is one of gratitude for the effort in having travelled and supported the team, and also an apology because what we did on the pitch is not what is needed, nor what the club deserve, nor what the situation requires.”

Diakhaby

“The only good thing to highlight on such a sad day like today, the only good news, has been his return and the recognition from the fans. Because in football and in sport there is solidarity, recognising that he is a player who unfortunately has been out of the team for a long time. He is an important player for us."