Oltra: “Valencia CF has taken a step forward”

José Luis Oltra trained as a player at the VCF Academy and later played for CE Sabadell, Levante UD, Yeclano Deportivo, Elche CF, and Ontinyent 1931 CF. However, Oltra is recognized in Spanish football for his work as a coach at teams such as Levante UD, CD Tenerife, UD Almería, RC Deportivo, RCD Mallorca, Granada CF, Real Racing Club, and CD Eldense, among others. Recently, he is an external advisor for the RFEF Referees Technical Committee.

Today, he appeared on l’Informatiu of VCF Media Radio to analyze Valencia CF’s good form following the matches against Real Betis and Levante UD. The Valencian coach highlighted the team’s improvement.

Team

“The team is obviously better; it has taken a step forward. The changes Corberán has made have been good: Pepelu coming in, Almeida taking a step forward as well, Javi Guerra, who is a key player… they are not yet at their best version; they can improve more. The line between success and failure is very thin, so we need to go slowly. We have to make the team compete as they are doing in terms of intensity, and then let the results reinforce it.”

Corberán

“He is a scholar; he has clear ideas and a clear game model. Sometimes, the decisions are not comfortable or easy, but the work is there. He is the one with the best information on mood, fitness, situations, etc. Not only based on feelings but also on results, the team is competing and playing better.”

Trivote in midfield

“That change has been key. The model is not so different, but with the other system, playing with an attacking midfielder/forward, perhaps it lacked that connection, that player between the lines, that cleaner ball progression, and arriving with more clarity. Almeida’s entry has been fundamental. He gives you football, clarity, quality, final pass, many things. Valencia CF has alternatives and squad depth. Playing with the trivote gives more consistency, order, and connection in midfield, which is working very well.”

Matches as a visitor

“It is normal that it’s harder. The emotional and environmental aspects also influence. Sometimes, it is difficult to manage or change. In the case of Vallecas: the dimensions, the fact it is a very pressing team… it can affect your offensive aspect in ball progression; a mistake there condemns you more in this type of stadium. I believe the idea will not change much in terms of concept.”

Diego López offside play

“Morientes, Sandoval, Sánchez Vera, and I only choose plays based on criteria such as actions that can basically be explained and are didactic. We don’t evaluate or explain them. Then there is the CTA spokesperson who in a video tells you if it was correctly refereed and explains the rule. The initiative is good because it gives transparency to the CTA. Sometimes I disagree with how they evaluate or explain the chosen plays, but those who understand are the referees. We just provide experience to select plays. Actions like Diego López’s are very clear. They can make us doubt because, evidently, there is always a human part, but offside is semi-automatic. The human part is about who chooses the frame, which is really difficult to capture the exact moment, but it is quite standardized and there is no problem there. The reality of this play is that there is no doubt: a millimeter or three, if it is advanced, it is offside. A machine determines that. The rule is clear. The play is an action that does not deserve to be offside, but with the semi-automatic system, even by a hair, it is offside.”