Corberán: “It’s time to compete and to give our all”

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán talked to the media before LaLiga Matchday 9, in which his side take on Deportivo Alavés.

The need to improve from set pieces

These assessments should be done with the team during the competition; it's where the work we do must be measured. The team have worked hard to improve on all the fronts we need to improve: Whether that be in attack, defence, or set pieces. Conceding four goals in the last three matches has affected our position in the table. We've analysed it, we've insisted on working on it, and we've fine-tuned details. This shouldn't cause any psychosis amongst us, but rather increase our competitiveness in every situation of a football match.

His opinion on the AFE protests regarding the LALIGA match in the US

The captains have made me aware of the measure they've taken. I respect it.

Prioritising one young player over another

In the event of an injury, the first criterion is the position I need to fill. I always like to work with the understanding that the third player in each position is a B team player. It's true that, for me, this year as a club, we've taken a step toward increasing the number of players per position and sent players on loan to other clubs, thus increasing competitiveness. We must assess potential and positional needs when selecting any player.

Becoming more competitive

The squad is young, but prepared to be competitive. Results in games depend on two variables that are linked: Playing well and competing well. The more and better you compete, the closer you get to achieving good results. You have to try to create moments where you dominate your opponents, but sometimes that doesn't happen, and the opponent's dynamic can take over. In those moments, you need competitive maturity: You have to be able to hold on through the struggle. Every match has moments of good attacking play and other moments where you must be able to compete, being able to struggle through and overcome less-than-ideal and difficult periods. To achieve positive results, we must also be able to overcome these spells.

Making a statement in Vitoria as a team

It's time to prove ourselves, to compete, and to do our best to bounce back after the last two results -which didn’t satisfy us.

Copete and the challenge of starting games

I don't have to prepare Copete because he's ready to take on that role. The fact that he hasn't started as many games has more to do with how well Diakhaby has been doing than any shortcomings for Copete. I have absolute confidence in him.

What the team need in order to achieve more consistency

Consistency is a goal; a challenge for us that we want to achieve. The players' commitment is aligned with this. They're committed to getting results. We must create good moments as soon as possible and try to create steadily them over time. A team are competitive when they are able to find those moments and continue to be the same side.

Pablo López’ serious injury.

I send him my best wishes. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury during the break; he wasn't training or playing, it was just a freak incident, and it led to a ligament injury. It's a challenge that's arisen in his career now, but we undoubtedly have tremendous faith in him, both as a footballer and as a person. We'll see him recovering and playing in the Valencia CF shirt, which is what we all want.

Assessing Deportivo Alavés

They're a very competitive team at home, and demand absolute commitment when you face them. That's the effort with which the match will be played, against opponents that require you be at your best. That's what we believe and feel it will be like.