Corberán: “Getting a positive result demands your best at both ends of the pitch"

Carlos Corberán spoke to the media ahead of Valencia CF's Matchday 11 game against Real Madrid.

Hopes of repeating last season's victory

Every team should always dream of going for a win. That's the objective, even whilst we are aware of the opponents and the challenge we face. We want to have a good game and get a good result.

How he approaches a match like this

We approach it like any other game: By doing a detailed analysis of the opposition, looking at their strengths and weaknesses. We're focused on giving our best on the pitch. Getting a positive result demands the best at both of the pitch, both defensively and offensively; that's our mentality.

The pressure to avoid a repeat of what happened against FC Barcelona

We prepare for every match with the utmost motivation, convinced of our potential, because the team have that. We're focused on having a solid defensive game. Real Madrid force you to defend well, but we have to have the personality to attack as well. We need resilience and character. We have to be organised, strong and support each other a lot. That doesn't diminish our ability to dictate the game and force Real Madrid to defend, not just attack.

How to mentally prepare the team in this situation

We focus on achieving our best performance; results are usually a consequence of how you perform. The preparation has to be both tactical and mental. We must prepare to have the best possible game.

What kind of Valencia CF he expects at the Santiago Bernabéu

I expect a Valencia CF capable of creating good moments, capable of competing both defensively and offensively, and who, when the opponent puts us under pressure, are mentally strong and have plenty of support—that will be key to competing at the level we want to compete at.

Using the first half against Villarreal CF as a reference point

It was a good first half. It's true that it's not the same opponents in front of us and they don't play the same way. I'm focusing on the mentality, resilience, and personality shown by the team in the first half against Villarreal CF.

Considering changing formation

There are no formations that guarantee results. If that were the case, it would be easy to win games. I believe in the squad's conviction, in showing what we are capable of. We must demonstrate our abilities, commit to them, and persevere in showing them.

Players in and out of the squad

The same players who were available against Villarreal CF will be available tomorrow.

The CTA's decision that the penalty against Villarreal CF should not have been awarded

The CTA's statement is completely aligned with what we all saw and felt at Mestalla in the 40th minute, at the time of that penalty incident. We're glad they agreed with us because it's what we saw, experienced, felt, and said in the press conference: it shouldn't have been a penalty. It also hurts because it had a significant impact on the game, and in that situation, it rushes you into a more impulsive way of playing, leading you to attack more with your heart than with your head -which resulted in Villarreal CF scoring another goal. We're happy because it wasn't a penalty, and sad because it had a significant impact that it was given.

What has changed from last season to this one

In football, results greatly influence feelings and analyses, but I'm not going to fight against that. I'm focused on achieving the best results. We're talking about Valencia CF having a good first half against Villarreal CF, but we're not satisfied with that. We're focused on analysing performance rather than superficial analyses based solely on results. Positive results shouldn't overshadow areas for improvement, and the same applies to negative results, but in reverse. Ultimately, the line between negative and positive results is often very fine, but the consequences are very different.

If he would understand if a change of coach were considered

A Valencia CF coach shouldn't think about what might happen in a few weeks. My commitment is so great that I only focus on preparing for the game tomorrow in the best way possible, and I give it my all.

The keys to the game

It hasn't been a typical week. Today was the only day in which we had everyone available. We analysed the opponents, and we're going in with absolute conviction that the team can have a good match.

Worries about refereeing at the Santiago Bernabéu

We must be focused on what depends on us: constant support, and being mentally prepared for the moments when Real Madrid dominate possession. We must have competitive spirit and have a good game. I have absolute confidence in the referees. The problem is that technology, which is meant to improve and advise them, can make mistakes that humans don't make.

His opinion of Real Madrid

They maintain a similar core, but there are differences compared to last season's Real Madrid. This Real Madrid try to control the opposition better through attack, taking advantage of their dynamism and improving their performance with composure, maintaining certain positions to attack more effectively. It's more difficult to counterattack against them; that's the main difference. They have explosivity on the left, and they shift the play more on the right. You have to defend more and do so better, and the challenge of counterattacking is even greater because they make sure to pressure you before losing possession.

The situation with Vini Jr.

Last year at Mestalla, Foulquier played at right back, while at the Bernabéu it was Aarons or Mosquera. Tomorrow's match it is up to Thierry to take charge in that position. It's not a game to focus on one player. Real Madrid don't allow you to focus on just one player. We'll defend well if we have a strong mentality. We're focused on what depends solely on us. 

Kylian Mbappé

 If it were easy to stop any player, then teams would have done it already. We know his talent; this match demands that we be a great team with a level of competitive intensity that surpasses everything else.