Bordalás: “Now it is time to be more united to beat Athletic Club”

José Bordalás spoke to the media in a post-match press conference following the 3-1 loss to Sevilla FC at the Estadio Ramón-Sánchez Pizjuán.

What do you blame for the three goals that the team conceded at the start of the match?

They scored three goals in 20 minutes, and there was no time for us to have been worn down and fatigued – it was very clear. The first move of the match, a free kick in our favour, turned into a goal for Sevilla FC. We made mistakes. The defeat is down to rookie mistakes, mistakes that are not usually seen in professional football. Today we committed those errors, and the match was killed off in 20 minutes against opponents of the stature of Sevilla FC, who will fight to win every competition because of the potential they have. Although the team reduced the advantage, we said at halftime that we should improve our showing and correct the mistakes; we did that in the second half, but the game was very difficult with such a convincing scoreline against us.

Were injury absentees to big an obstacle for the team?

Yes, obviously important players were out injured us, and the team undoubtedly suffer for that, but in the end the players that we had were who we had, and we must not think about those who are not here. The result was overwhelming and we must improve. Defensively, we cannot concede so much. We’ve been scored against very early in away games, and you cannot concede that much -in the end you end up paying for it. We have to think about the game on Saturday and be more united in order to beat Athletic Club.

Are you afraid that the difference between 'Unit A' and 'Unit B' at a competitive level is too great?

I have made it clear. I think that it was some very serious mistakes that weighed us down for practically the entire game. Obviously, without taking anything away from Sevilla FC, the goals were from moves without build-up play. We had the ball for the first goal, the second is a tremendously powerful free kick, and the third was a laughable goal. We have to improve, and this is not the time to talk about that. My obligation is that the players give one hundred percent, and we will see if when we are at one hundred percent Valencia CF are in the places that we deserve.

What were you looking for with the changes?

We had a very adverse scoreline againt us. I took off Alderete because he was on a booking, and risking him was unnecessary because the game was already very difficult to win. We couldn't take such a high risk, with us playing on Saturday. I wanted to give some rest to players who have played practically every minute, as on Saturday we have a very important game.

Did you greet Lopetegui? What did you think of the chants against you from the Sevilla fans?

Yes, Julen greeted me before the game and I congratulated him in the flash zone. It was the usual, normal exchange between two colleagues. I heard that they were chanting my name, but I don't know what they were actually chanting.

After the goals scored against you by Real Madrid and Sevilla FC, do you understand that there may be pressure to change goalkeeper?

Right now it is time for reflection, and from tomorrow we will think about the next game, which is coming up imminently. It is a very important game against Athletic, who are a great team. We are only thinking about that. Tomorrow we will recover and improve aspects of play that they are the first to admit cannot be repeated, because they cost us the game today.