Corberán: "A club like Valencia CF must always be improving"
The Valencia CF coach analyses the final home match of the season
Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán spoke in a press conference following his side's 0-1 defeat at home to Athletic Club.
Analysis of the game
It was a difficult match, a game where we struggled to impose our play. From the start, in my opinion, Athletic Club were able to press us very well. We weren't fluid enough to make progress down the left flank.
When they pressed up on us and we found solutions to overcome pressure on the right, the play never materialised; we never made enough progress. We played the game more in our own half, rather than in the opponent's half, which is where we want to be -because otherwise, we won't create scoring chances.
In general, we struggled to overcome their pressure and we were never as comfortable as we want to be in a game.
In the second half, their goal came when the team were starting to find ways to overcome those pressures, without creating scoring chances. But at that moment, for me, Iván Jaime's introduction, moving Andrea to the left, stopped their pressure because it changed their linkups. Since they were pressing, our positions were already different, and their pressure became a little more unbalanced. We found good passes down the right with Luis Rioja and good runs from Javi Guerra, but we were losing balls on the edge of their defensive block. Overall, it was a difficult match, it was hard to attack, against opponents who have the ability to counterattack and play well individually. Despite the goal being an individual effort, a goal of the highest level, tactically we didn't respond well with our positioning, at least to have made Berenguer's finish more difficult.
Afterwards, the team tried more with heart than with organisation, and we weren't able to achieve what we wanted, which was undoubtedly to give the fans something to cheer about in the form of a “thank you” for everything they did to help us achieve our objective.
Jaume’s farewell
I think Jaume's farewell speaks for itself. He’s a player who, in the years he's been at Valencia CF, has represented this club and the values it instills.
Despite not playing any minutes, he has played a hugely important role in the dressing room, with his leadership, acting as one of the captains to help the group achieve its objective. I'm very grateful for what he's contributed in our short time together.
Evaluating the season
As a coach, it would be easy to tell you that we've slacked off, but that would be unfair and irresponsible of me. Valencia CF didn't win the previous match against Alavés, and we didn't win today, because there are aspects of the game we haven't mastered—never because the team were relaxing, but because of our interpretation or execution of the game.
And this tells us that, despite the fact that the team have achieved our primary objective this season, we're not satisfied with the last two results. You have to keep looking at the reality, and a club like Valencia CF always have to work to improve.
Aspects to change
When we arrived at Valencia, the situation was difficult, with the challenge ahead: ensuring Valencia CF's survival, because our position wasn't right or appropriate in keeping with the club's history and the greatness of the club we represent.
From then on, we've done everything possible to turn things around. The team achieved our primary objective, and, as I've said before, a club like Valencia CF always have to keep improving.
New objectives for the future
We have one more match to prepare for. We will analyse today's game to prepare for the next one. From there begins the work at Valencia CF to do things as best as possible to represent this club at the level that for me we have. All of us who are at the club have to make that effort and that push so that Valencia CF is the club that we all want it to be again.
Planning
The club's sporting management, as part of their duties and responsibilities, work on any transfer market, always anticipating the next window, and I know they're doing their job.
So far, it hasn’t been the moment. The window isn't open, and the season hasn't even ended. We're always having private conversations to discuss my feelings about the different options for the improvements we all need to keep in mind to make at the club.
Keeping growing
For me, growing and improving is a must, a responsibility we have.
We have to assume responsibility to do things better in every way. We will carry out the necessary analysis, give the necessary opinions, and above all, we will rededicate ourselves to the cause of making Valencia CF improve and be where we all feel and hope Valencia CF should be.
That work, as soon as the season ends, is the next phase, the next objective: We’ll be working to improve all the possibilities we have or all the aspects that can be improved to achieve a better Valencia CF.
Thanking the squad
I'm grateful to any player who has come on loan, because I've seen a commitment from day one to help us achieving the goal they came here for.
From that point on, any assessment doesn't make sense for me to do so publicly, but it does make sense to do so privately. And I understand that's part of my job.
Intense months
They have been intense months. Because that's what was required to achieve the objective that I personally prioritised in every way.
All of us here, including my coaching staff and myself, have poured our hearts and souls into achieving our goal. Because, on top of that, as a Valencian, the responsibility for me was paramount. I couldn't allow a club like Valencia CF to not be where the club deserve to be, in the division where they deserve to be.
From there, a new season begins, which must always be filled with the desire to do things better, to make an honest assessment that always leads us toward improvement and growth. That's what I feel. And the moment the referee calls time at the end of the next match, that's when I'm going to give it my all again to achieve it.
Investment
Sporting projects are accompanied by economic projects. That's part of the game, that's part of football. The sporting potential of the teams must match the economic potential. Our job is to do things as best as possible, with the resources available, and try to incorporate, retain, or have the best resources to achieve the best sporting project.
Rating the season
I don't agree that qualifying for Europe comes cheap. Because I think assessing based on points is a mistake. In general, when teams in a league don't score many points, it's not because it's easy, but quite the opposite. It speaks to the equality and how difficult it is to score points to make a difference and achieve the objectives.
That's how I assess it, at least, if I were to tell you the standings once the teams have been secured, with the teams fighting in Europe. I see tremendous equality, where dynamics or consistency will determine who gets it.
A tough match
Today we knew we were going to play a high-level match. And I think that high level came together due to two scenarios or two circumstances. First, the level of the opponent we were going to face. Today we played against a team who were Europa League semifinalists, and a team who had already secured a Champions League spot for next season before playing against us. That speaks to the level of the opponent we were facing.
And for me, it was a high-level match because Valencia CF played a high-level second half of the season. And if that hadn't happened, it would have been impossible to achieve our goal.
If you looked at the standings from the last 17 matches -the second half of the season without the last two remaining matches, Valencia CF had earned one more point than Athletic Club, which, in my opinion has tremendous merit.
The support from the Valencia CF fans is amazing. It’s huge. And playing at Mestalla is a source of pride and also a responsibility that we all have.
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