Corberán: “The team fought until the end, with tremendous effort”

Carlos Corberán spoke to the media after Valencia CF’s 1-2 Copa del Rey win in extra time against FC Cartagena.

The match

“In the Copa del Rey, you play against opponents of different levels, but who are in the same competition. We knew that FC Cartagena were well-organised and had players capable of doing us damage. We didn't start the game the way we wanted; we rushed things, lost possession, and that gave the opposition many opportunities. We didn't want to start like that, and it made things difficult for us. As the minutes passed, the team gradually increased our control and created chances. We had a high volume of opportunities, but we lacked the finishing touch to convert them and change the result. I saw more persistence than skillful play; the team didn't give up and fought until the end, despite the difficulty of finishing the match with ten men. We had the satisfaction of advancing to the next round. The price to pay was a tremendous effort from the players.”

Santamaría’s sending off

“It was an unlucky incident, in a very tight match in many aspects, with many strange fouls not called against either team. The referee allowed play to continue too much, which turned it into a rough one, and perhaps that's why we ended up a man down.”

The tactics of the game

“I disagree that the team weren't energetic enough in our pressing. We rushed when on the ball; we played with five at the back, and it was difficult for us to adjust. The first few minutes were a period in which we couldn't gain control of the ball -not due to a lack of intensity, but because we were too hasty. We tried to finish off moves before building them up. If that forced action leads to a loss of possession, you concede transitions. The opponents were able to counter-attack, and we tried to adjust to that. I congratulate FC Cartagena on their approach and level of play. The Copa del Rey is not an easy competition, and we've seen top-flight teams eliminated. I have a lot of respect for this competition. Also, when you field many players who haven't played many minutes together, or it's the first time they've played together, the relationships aren't the same, and neither are the rhythms of the game. I'm pleased with the squad's commitment to fighting until the last second. The group gave their all.”

The approach

“Thinking that things would be different if circumstances changed is a mistake; you have no way of knowing. I'm clear that, in order to be a competitive team, we need everyone to have playing time and to be up to speed to help the team. We're in a very demanding week for everyone: Three matches in a row with less than 72 hours between them. Next week will be the same. In this marathon of matches, we need everyone to have energy to help the team.”

Substitutions

“Substitutions are made due to different circumstances: the pace of the game, the needs we have… I don't see it as a player being substituted because he doesn't have the level required to play for Valencia CF. We all have to improve, and we know the responsibility of the badge we wear and the demands of the club we're at. Those demands should be our ally, never our enemy.”

The team’s performance

“We created enough chances to have avoided needing a late winner: hitting the post, hitting the crossbar… I respect every team we face. I understand why you might call our performance unacceptable, but I focus on the positives. Some players are getting on the pace, and we all need to improve. We'll do a private analysis of what we need to improve to become a better team.”

The final minutes

“It’s a difficult game to analyse from the perspective of actions like fouls and the penalty. It was a very strange game. The referee decided to make it a fast-paced affair. The game became a frantic back-and-forth contest where both teams had chances to score. Unfortunately, in one of those moves, the referee whistled for handball, and Dimitrievski was key to keeping Valencia CF in the competition. We're happy for the fans who came along to support the team and never stopped cheering. I wish we could have played better, but this is how we had to win the game.”

Dimitrievski

“He had a very good game. Not only because of the penalty save, but also because of his composure and control. The opposing team didn't have a high number of chances, but they did have several counter-attacks that could have allowed them to hurt us more. He looked very solid, and he was decisive in our going through to the next round.”