Corberán: “We are aware of the importance that Mestalla will have”

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán talked ahead of Sunday’s LaLiga game against Deportivo Alavés, which takes place at Mestalla.

Players in for the game

Renzo Saravia has joined the final squad list. Lucas Beltrán remains unavailable due to discomfort in his patellar tendon.

What it would mean to win two in a row at Mestalla

Winning two home games in a row is our goal; it would be huge for us, and we're really motivated by it. We're aware of how crucial Mestalla will be for the team to pick up points and climb the table. We're approaching it with determination, enthusiasm for the match, and motivation. We know how competitive it will be, but we want to give our fans a victory that really excites us.

The upcoming fixture list

We look at each game ahead of us separately; in our minds, the only focus is the match against Deportivo Alavés. We are aware of the type of game we have to play, and we are focused on giving our best performance, finding the moments we want to find, overcoming difficult points in the game, and being at our best.

Alavés’ change of coach

The most important thing is who we are: the identity we have. You have to understand what kind of match you're going to be playing. Osasuna's defensive style is completely different from that of Alavés. We want to be the protagonists in the game and to convey our playing style to the fans. You don't have time to change much as a new coach in just a few days at a club. Football is played by the players, but you can use one formation or another, or emphasise one aspect or another. Quique Sánchez Flores spoke a bit about his nuances in yesterday's press conference. He has a history as a coach, so you have references from that, and we know that Alavés demanded a lot from us in the first meeting this season. We're prepared to compete, and aware of how difficult the match will be.

Eray Cömert and Unai Núñez

In football, only the present matters. Eray's performances have been very good, which is why he's playing regularly. Eray's performance, and that of other players, is a result of the preparation they have put in when they haven’t been playing. If you don't prepare, it's impossible to achieve the level you want and that the team need. We have players like Ramazani, Eray, and Dimitrievski who, even when they weren't playing, always worked hard. Just like now, players who aren't playing as much are preparing themselves for their chance. The commitment level within the Valencia CF squad is excellent.

LaLiga’s expenditure limits

LaLiga's publications can be misleading. The limit the organisation sets is one thing, whether you reach it is another, and whether you exceed it is also another. There are teams with a higher limit but lower expenditure, and vice versa. That limit doesn't reflect the squad's value. For me, it's not indicative in terms of the league standings. The immediate objective is the match against Deportivo Alavés, and hopefully, we can maintain the momentum, the image, the approach, and the results the team have been achieving in this second half of the season. If we maintain the same high standards and competitive spirit, we'll be able to extend this run.

Lucas Beltrán

Unfortunately, I can't give a date for his return yet, because it depends on the player's pain tolerance. When the patellar tendon is irritated, it's very painful, preventing the player from starting, stopping, and performing explosive movements. He's currently undergoing treatment to help him manage the workload. He's already training on the pitch, though not with the group, and hopefully his progress will be positive and we can have him available next week.

Javi Guerra

The key to good player performance always lies with the players themselves. The style of play is related to the relationships established between the players; this is a team sport. I'm happy; there has always been absolute confidence in Javi's abilities. He had a great match against CA Osasuna. We're all going to have to be at a very high level to beat Deportivo Alavés.

Repeating a starting lineup

You can always decide to repeat the same lineup or give other players a chance. But the key is for everyone to understand the game in the same way. Every opposing team will try to prevent you from implementing your game plan, and above all else, the team's values and competitive spirit are paramount. That desire to go for the win, to handle the pressure... That's everyone's responsibility. I don't place importance on whether I repeat the starting XI or not; what matters is what we show on the pitch.