Corberán: "We were able to manage the game on the pitch and emotionally"

Coach Carlos Corberán reflected on Valencia CF's 0-1 win over Athletic Club at San Mamés.

His review of the game

There are matches where you're capable and able to play your own game, and the opponent's style allows you to maintain your approach, and others where it's harder to bring out that competitive side of your team. What I’ll take away is the determination, the commitment, the ability to not fall apart after the missed penalty… The resilience and persistence until the end were crucial in securing three very valuable points.

The team's competitive level at San Mamés

We had a lot at stake, without a doubt. We were in a do-or-die competitive environment, where every match is a final, and against an opponent aiming for European qualification. Given the different objectives, it's clear the match was very important for both teams. Valencia CF managed the game well, both in terms of our play and emotionally.

Looking back

This isn't the time to feel frustrated. As a coach, I always want to see Valencia CF as high up the table as possible and with the maximum number of points. When we don't achieve that, we're self-critical. Some solutions work in some matches and not in others. The match against Real Oviedo was different, the match against Atletico was different.There are match situations where the team have found the right response at a competitive level and other match situations where we've struggled more.

Double pivot: Guido – Pepelu

Until now, we have always played with a 6, an 8, and a 10. We knew that Athletic are a very aggressive team, that they're going to press a lot, and the way to overcome that pressure was a double pivot to control the positions with two '6's. That's the main reason for playing with a double pivot today. Also, Pepelu showed a lot of character and personality in a difficult moment; it was also a reward for the way he helped the team.

Continue competing until the end of the season

The team is playing for everything; we're playing for 9 points. For us, it's key to have Mestalla behind us, to generate that unity that makes us stronger. The support of Mestalla makes us better. The fans and the team have the opportunity to shake off the feeling from the last home match; we weren't at the level we wanted to be in that one. The 42 points don't guarantee survival, so we want to get as many points as possible.