Corberán: "The feeling is of dissatisfaction for not having given the fans something to cheer about"

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán gave his final post-match press conference of the season following the 3-1 win over FC Barcelona.

His verdict on the season

"I'm dissatisfied. That's the feeling among the players and staff. We went into the final matchday with a huge desire, but we weren't able to achieve our goal. The team did everything we could, but unfortunately it depended on other results, and that's why we're disappointed."

High expectations

"We all know the stature of Valencia CF and the high expectations that come with that. Valencia CF's ambition must always be at the highest level. All the players and staff must always give their absolute best to take Valencia CF to the top."

Improvement in the second half of the season

“The first half of the season was Valencia CF’s worst stretch of the entire campaign. The team were at least the fourth-best side in the second half of the season, but the lack of consistency throughout the season has put us in a different position to that. We end the campaign with the dissatisfaction of not having achieved better performance in the first half of the season.”

His personal performance

“That’s not a question a coach can answer. What I’ve done is give my all for Valencia CF because it’s in my blood, it’s my family, and it means so much to me. There have been periods when we haven’t achieved the results we wanted, and that hurts every fan as much as it hurts the coach.”

The first and second halves of the season

“This is the most important question Valencia CF need to ask ourselves: What was the difference down to?  The answer to that question will determine the future of Valencia CF. It's not a quick or superficial analysis, but it is absolutely necessary. We have to approach it with a great deal of responsibility. In the first half of the season, I wasn't able to get the best out of my team, and I am responsible for that situation. We have to analyse, diagnose, and correct things to create a connection with the fans, which is essential to achieving something significant.”

Objectives

“If the Financial Fair Play limit is close to €100 million, it would be a step up that I believe is important and necessary to aspire to greater objectives, but I don't have that information. It’s a big factor, but the responsibility of taking Valencia CF to the top is paramount and cannot be shirked by not setting a specific objective. If Valencia CF haven't achieved it, it's not because we didn't want to take Valencia CF to the top, but because I personally -and those of us who are part of the club-, haven't done things well enough to achieve it.”

Consistency

“The pressure is always high at Valencia CF. Last year I arrived, we achieved a target, and the pressure was felt from the very beginning. The lack of consistency has been a pity. It's the biggest disappointment I take away from this season. I understand the fans' frustration because the greatness of the club doesn't allow for any other approach when we don't achieve the results expected of the club we represent.”

His future

“It's not the time to talk about the future, but rather the present. Today we all regret not having given the fans something to cheer about and not having changed the dynamic of a season in which we haven't shown consistency, although we had a fantastic second half of the campaign. Today is a painful moment because of the disappointment of not achieving our objective -and because of Diego's injury. We'll know the extent of it soon, and it's always bad to see a player injured, especially a young player so important to us.”

Effort

“The team’s effort in the second half of the season has been extraordinary. The addition of the players who arrived in the second half of the year, along with the commitment of the players already here, has allowed the team to increase our competitiveness. Valencia CF had a very good second half of the season, and even so, there were games where we weren’t satisfied. The main lesson comes from the second half of the season. What we did in the second half of the season, and not in the first, requires a detailed, not superficial, analysis, because it’s clear that the team fell short of expectations, and a coach is always responsible.”

Maximum parity in LaLiga

“The competition has been extremely difficult for everyone. The level of parity and details have been enormously important. Several teams have been at a very similar level, and we haven’t been able to handle those details, which has caused us to fall short of achieving something that is always special for Valencia CF.”

Commitment from players

“There are players who arrive on loan and give their all, there are players whose contracts are ending and they give their all. Guido is an example of that. It's the same with coaches. I don't think that changes much in terms of a coach's ability, because their capacity to lead doesn't depend on the number of years left on their contract.”

Diego López's injury

“We don't know the extent of it, but since it's a knee injury, it's not a typical muscle injury; it's a knee injury that we hope is not serious. There was a palpable sense of empathy and deep sorrow in the dressing room.

Being grateful to the squad

“I am always grateful to all the players who help the club throughout the season. The contribution of the players who arrived in the winter transfer window has been enormous, and it's a lesson that Valencia CF need to learn.”