Valencia CF21 February 2026

Corberán: "We are very conscious of our position"

The coach looks ahead to the regional derby

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán gave a pre-match press conference ahead of the regional derby against Villarreal CF, which takes place on Sunday at the Estadio de La Cerámica.

The right-back spot

I always focus on improving the performance of my players. I have said before that with Foulquier's injury, we were going to go into the transfer market to look at options and reinforce that position. I understand there will be news on that in the next few hours. We are focused on competing. Tomorrow, Thierry Correia will return to the squad, and hopefully, he can compete with the team again.

Thierry Correia's return

We'll see what happens tomorrow. He is available. It's a step forward for us to have a player specifically for that position as an option.

Renzo Saravia

I don't think it's responsible or respectful to comment on players who aren't at Valencia CF.

The need to win matches

We are very aware of our position; we have to win games. We are aware of the fight we are in. We are eager to give our fans something to cheer about.

Tactical analysis of Villarreal CF

In modern football, the structures used change a lot, in terms of the positions you occupy when attacking and when defending. They start with a right-back making short runs and a back three, packing players into a square formation, playing on the flanks with a more traditional winger attacking down the wing. That's their structure. Defensively, they use a recognisable 4-4-2, and have well-trained tactics and behaviours. They're very dangerous because they transition quickly and try to capitalise on winning the ball back. We identify these tactics and work on them to have the best possible game.

Preparations

We're aware of Villarreal CF's level; they have a good coach, a good squad, and facing them is both a source of motivation and a challenge. We're eager to keep getting points; we know their level and want to approach the match with the utmost enthusiasm. They're third in the standings and have played in the Champions League. We're aware of their quality and our own capabilities. I think the squad are in great form and have a very positive level of ambition.

Last season's meeting

That's in the past. Being a competitive team at that ground gives us confidence, but we know that it's in the past, and we've prepared to compete again tomorrow.

Statements from Marcelino García Toral

We're in a season where we don't have the points we need, so we're focused on improving with each game. I respect Marcelino for what he's done throughout his career; he was the coach who gave Valencia CF our last trophy, and I won't comment on his statements. We're focused on tomorrow's match and trying to keep getting positive results.

Players out for the game

From the match against Levante UD, Copete, Thierry, and Danjuma will all be back. Diego López is out with some discomfort, and Lucas Beltrán is doubtful due to knee problems. We'll see how he progresses in the coming hours.

How Valencia CF are approaching the game

All matches between teams from the region have a special emotional component. Our current situation makes the team see this as an important game. We have to treat it with the mentality of going for the win, getting points, because we need them, and our fans share that feeling I'm conveying to you.

Midfield 

In midfield, we have five players specifically for that position, each with their own characteristics. Some are more like box-to-box midfielders, while others are more positionally disciplined. The players who start are just as important as those who finish the game. We saw that in the last match. Those who started were just as important as those who came on off the bench.

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