Corberán: "We are ambitious, don't settle and want to keep improving"

Carlos Corberán gave a press conference after Valencia CF's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.

The game

I don't agree with downplaying the move that led to the goal; any goal is important. We played a first half in which Rayo were the better side. We couldn't hurt them with the ball; we struggled to attack and defend effectively. They created a lot of chances on the left side through crosses and corners, and we failed to defend one of those well, allowing them to take the lead. It's a difficult ground, where big LaLiga teams haven't managed to win. I don't take away any credit from the team's reaction in the second half. It's a goal that we scored. We never stopped trying to get the result we wanted, which was to get the three points.

Rayo Vallecano 

Rayo are a very physical side, built on values that allow them to compete with high intensity and play in two competitions. When you play in Europe, you have to be prepared to handle both competitions.

The team's progress

It's good to go three games unbeaten. We wanted to win. We need to reflect on why we didn't play better football in the first half and embrace the spirit and reaction of the second half.

Difficulty away from home

I don't know if we're the worst away team in the league; I doubt it. We're not happy with our away record; we haven't managed to win yet. In the match against Osasuna, the team were heavily affected by the sending-off we suffered, but our reaction brought us close to getting a draw. Against FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, the team weren't up to standard. We have been so against other opponents. We want to change this dynamic and improve both away and at home. Why didn't we manage to play the complete game we wanted? We'll be looking at that. Our ambition is to play better. We're not satisfied because in the first half we didn't compete at the level we wanted and show our identity. The team are ambitious, we're not complacent, and we want to keep improving.

Dani Raba

He's a very interesting player. Today we decided that our Number 10, André Almeida, would play on the left wing, because he's right-footed and we wanted to mix up the play. I saw a sensational second half from him that made it impossible to take him off. We finished with Danjuma and Beltrán on the pitch, and the team functioned well in the second half. This doesn't mean that those who didn't come on couldn't have contributed, but rather that the dynamic of those who were on was good. Dani Raba came on and did brilliantly, and we're happy that he did what he could very well -and we wish he could have come on earlier.

The Copa del Rey

On Thursday we'll be playing in a different competition. We're limited by the few days we have before the match, and that game will also affect Sunday's fixture. This requires carefully evaluating the workload that the players can handle in games. That game could help players like Dani Raba, who played less today, to get more minutes and continue developing and help the team in the LaLiga game as well.