Corberán: “We have a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate our desire, commitment, and motivation to turn things around”  

Valencia CF coach, Carlos Corberán, held a press conference ahead of Matchday 13 LALIGA EA SPORTS game against Levante UD at Mestalla.

Dimitrievski's controversial statements

For us, the main topic these past two weeks has been tomorrow's match. I understand your question, and I'll answer it. He has returned from international duty, we've spoken with him, I had a private conversation with him, and then with the entire squad. In that conversation, he apologised because his statements were wrong and incorrect. As I've already stated, and I'll repeat: at Valencia CF, nobody plays or doesn't play based on their contract. That doesn't exist. He's aware of that. He apologised in the dressing room and to the staff, and based on that, I'm following the internal regulations, and he'll receive the corresponding financial penalty. With the apology, the conversation, and the financial penalty, I consider the situation closed.

Ugrinic

Both Foulquier and Ugrinic have participated in partial or almost full training sessions with the team. Foulquier participated in more partial sessions, completing today's workout, and Filip participated in almost full sessions, completing both today's and yesterday's training. Both will be in the squad, with the understanding that their inclusion doesn't mean they're 100% fit They've been dealing with discomfort and will continue their treatments, but it's very positive to have them available. We didn't change our defensive approach against Real Betis. In attack, we used a three-man midfield with a holding midfielder instead of a full-back. We managed each situation on the pitch based on the opponent's characteristics and behavior, but what I want to highlight is the players' mentality, personality, and initiative. That's very positive for continuing to grow on the pitch.

A turning point for current form

We always want to improve, and we know it's within our reach. We have players who make it possible, we have an identity that highlights our capabilities, and doing it at Mestalla is our greatest desire. In the last match, we saw positive signs, but we didn't get the result we wanted. We have to keep pushing and improving, and we have a tremendous opportunity at Mestalla to demonstrate the desire, commitment, and motivation we have to turn things around.

Playing on the Friday

 We don't set the kickoff time; we adapt. For us, it's remarkable that the tickets are sold out. Having this kind of support from the fans is incredible, and that can only increase our desire to do things well. We care about our club, our fans, our city, and tomorrow we have the challenge of proving that on the pitch.

A change of approach

I've always wanted the team to play as well as possible; my intentions haven't changed. Sometimes we achieve it, and sometimes we don't. The aim is always for the results to be a consequence of the team defending aggressively and solidly and attacking with personality. Sometimes you achieve that, you maintain it over time, and that's why the process of improvement and development is constant. When you think you've achieved something, the opponent adjusts, or something falls apart. This is the challenge: to keep improving and keep growing. The team were relaxed and comfortable with the ball, reminding us of moments from last season, but every match will be a challenge. Every opponent will try to make you uncomfortable, and you'll try to make them uncomfortable too.

Dimitrievski playing in the Copa del Rey

We have three great goalkeepers, which is a positive. Talking about any match that isn't the one against Levante UD isn't on my mind. There has been a financial penalty in accordance with internal regulations, and from a sporting perspective, I consider the situation closed. He'll be in the squad tomorrow.

Corona's departure

I'm sorry I can't give you as much information as you've asked for. Since I started working with Corona, my relationship with him as sporting director has been close, cordial, and with interactions daily. I wish him luck in this new chapter for him, both professionally and personally. Regarding a new structure, I'm focused on preparing for matches, on the game itself, the team's collective mentality, its character… That's the role of a coach, and that's what I do. I can't answer those other questions.

Diakhaby and Ramazani

Of the four injuries we've dealt with, two are knee problems: tendon and cartilage issues. With treatment, we have to monitor the response with the load required in a match and full training sessions. The other two are long-term muscle injuries. The recovery timeline we're working with is similar; there are around 10 days to two weeks remaining. In the final phase, every day is crucial for when they might be available. Both are progressing well, the recovery is going well, but there are still a few days to go.

Assessment of Levante UD

They are a very competitive team, as they demonstrated against Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid… They're going to demand a lot from us. They've maintained a certain core from last year and have made additions that increase their competitiveness. The league table reflects how close the competition is. We're aware of the demands of tomorrow's match.

Assessment of Etta Eyong

When a player achieves the numbers of goals and assists he has, it means he's an important player and he's going to demand a lot from us defensively. He can finish, press, and has great physical capacity. We need to improve our concentration and defensive capabilities. Rumours and names always surface in the transfer market, but I'm happy with the strikers I have, and my goal is to get the best performance out of them.

Calero's work at Levante UD

I spend so many hours here at the club, and what little time I have left is with my family. I don't get to spend much time with the city. I can't really say much. It's a special game for many reasons. The derby is important for the city; it's always on everyone's mind. But above all, we want to give the fans the best possible result. We want to turn things around. And all of that together tells me that the team are eager for the game, aware of the demands and the competition. I haven't worked with Calero before, but we have good friends in common, and above all, if I have to rate Calero's work, I'd say that in a difficult situation for the club, he's doing a great job, managing to instill intensity and high standards. They're a good team.

Alternatives to the approach taken against Real Betis

The team always need to have options in a match, because that increases the uncertainty for the opponent. The team can start with two centre-backs, having a midfielder behind the strikers, or by dropping a full-back and creating an overload… Depending on how an opponent presses you, you create a numerical advantage.

Lucas Beltrán not having a shot on goal yet

He's a different player than Sadiq or Hugo Duro, and I like having players who offer different aspects. I don't see any limitations in my strikers.

Requirements for a sporting director

The greatness of this club and its history mean that anyone in the world involved in football knows what Valencia CF mean. I'm focused on the fans seeing a Valencia CF with personality, intensity, and daring.

Assessment of the match schedule

Neither Levante UD nor Valencia CF set the match time; we all build our squads to try and overcome periods of injuries, absences, or travel. Then we adapt, manage playing time… We arrive on equal footing.

The international break

I've seen the squad eager to compete, with intensity and a desire to play tomorrow. We're going into it with the utmost desire and enthusiasm to achieve the performance that will bring us closer to the result we want.