Corberán: "We have the responsibility to pick ourselves up and be competitive"

Carlos Corberán previewed the LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 5 game against Athletic Club in his pre-match press conference.

The dressing room after the defeat against FC Barcelona

The dressing room and the staff are all hurting, because it was a resounding, tough result, and we can't accept such a defeat while representing this club. We have to exercise the responsibility of focusing on tomorrow's game. That pain won't go away; we have to use it as competitive energy for the next game.

The day off after the game

In our profession, we have to analyse the day after the game and the days we need to prepare for the next game. We will come into the game against RCD Espanyol with eight days of work done. Taking away that day off impulsively would have meant playing for many consecutive days without rest, and it would have been counterproductive.

Dani Raba’s availability

He’s available and ready for tomorrow's game. Dani has played in all of the games so far, except the last one against FC Barcelona.

What mistakes to avoid against Athletic Club

We didn't compete at the level the match against demanded of us, and the result was a consequence of that. We have a duty to pick ourselves up, push ourselves, and get back on track for the next match.

Julen Agirrezabala’s start to the season

He's a young goalkeeper who has shown the personality to bounce back in difficult moments, and the responsibility for us conceding goals doesn't fall solely on the goalkeeper’s shoulders, but on everyone. This weekend he will be playing a game in which he must be focused on delivering his best performance.

How he has spent the week

It's been a tough week.

His assessment of Athletic Club

Athletic are a team put together to compete in LALIGA and the Champions League; we're going to be playing against a great side. They're going to demand the best of us, and we've done our best to be competitive and recognisable to our fans, which is the most important thing.

Planned changes after the 6-0 defeat

The defeat shows that we weren't up to standard, and I’m the first to take responsibility. We weren't up to the challenge. From there, you have to analyse the next opponents and make decisions to be as competitive as possible. Everyone is going to be important.

Assessment of André Almeida's contract extension

Carlos Corberán doesn't renew players or evaluate players. I focus on the players' performance and want them to be ready to help the team and give their best.

Ensuring a big defeat doesn't happen again

No one can be happy after a performance and a result like last weekend’s. Starting with the group and the fans. The fans' pain is something we share with them; now we have the responsibility to pick ourselves up and be competitive so they feel that they recognise their team.

Having more concisely defined goals

I can't assess what has happened at the club in other eras. In this season, the goal is to be competitive. We're coming off a game in which we didn't perform at our best; we didn't meet that objective. We're focused on a new game, and we must focus on that objective: to be very competitive.

I understand the plans (noted earlier by president Kiat Lim) from a sense of responsibility, but my goal is to focus on preparing the strategy for each match. My mind is solely focused on this. Stability, demand, commitment and effort are positive, and we have to make sure they are evident on the pitch. That's my responsibility.

The approach against Athletic Club

They're a very well organised team, with a lot of physicality. They concede few goals, and their good performance earned them a place in the Champions League. They're going to challenge us defensively and offensively, and it's going to be a match in which we must focus on ourselves.

His opinion on the Gaza conflict and its relationship with sport

It's difficult to answer a question that requires a different tone and feeling than any other question in this press conference. It's one thing to talk about the pain we feel in football, given the responsibility we have toward the fans after the negative result last weekend; that requires a certain tone and emotional state. Talking about global conflicts like those in Gaza or Ukraine is a much more sensitive and delicate topic. I can't imagine a world without peace. I hope governments and authorities do what they need to do to achieve it. A world without peace is something much more serious and profound when so many innocent lives are affected.

His role within the sports management

Corberán isn't a sporting director; he's the coach; he gives his opinion when asked. I'm asked about any aspect of the football side, and profiles of players the squad need. I don’t negotiate, cut contracts, talk to agents or talk to clubs about the sporting, economic or personal interests of my players. I give my opinion on the requirements that we have, and then the club make the decisions.