Real Madrid are a ‘more well-rounded team’ under Xabi Alonso, says Valencia boss | OneFootball

Following a hard-fought win over Barcelona last weekend, Real Madrid will look to consolidate their position at the top of the league table when they take on Valencia on Saturday.

The two teams are heading into this game with contrasting form, with Valencia currently languishing in the relegation zone.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Valencia coach Carlos Corberan talked about his team’s chances against Real Madrid, among other things.

What Corberan said ahead of Real Madrid clash

Despite Valencia’s league position, Corberan was defiant, reminding the press that his side won at the Bernabeu last season and must believe they can do it again.

“Every team should always dream of going for a game and winning, even while being aware of the opponent and the moment they are in, but having confidence in our possibilities and going to play a good game,” he said.

He insisted the match is approached with motivation, and that the Valencia team will not be fearful of the league leaders.

“We prepare for every match with the utmost enthusiasm, convinced of the team’s capabilities, which we certainly have. Real Madrid forces you to defend well for long stretches, but without sacrificing attacking ability. You have to be resilient and have character,” he said.

Corberan acknowledged the unique challenge of facing the league leaders away from home, stating that perfection is required on both ends of the pitch.

“It’s approached like any other match, with a detailed analysis of the opponent, their many strengths and weaknesses, which, like any human being, they have.

“Getting a good result at a stadium like the Bernabéu requires you to be at your best defensively, even more so in attack,” he added.

Corberan also added that Valencia must not only just defend against a team like Real Madrid.

“Real Madrid forces you to defend for many, many moments. We have to be organized, strong, and support each other, but that shouldn’t diminish our ability to create attacking opportunities.”

Carlos Corberan will be keen on securing a point against Real Madrid. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

When asked what kind of Valencia can fans expect against Los Blancos, Corberan said, “A Valencia capable of creating good moments, a Valencia that when the opponent puts you under pressure is whole, that has answers, support and is mentally strong.”

The Valencia coach went on to provide a sharp analysis of how Real Madrid has changed tactically under Xabi Alonso, noting they are a more complete team.

“These teams share a similar core of players, but there are differences. Xabi’s Real Madrid is a more well-rounded team, one that tries to better control the opponent through attack.

“They still capitalize on the verticality of their players, but they’ve added a more measured approach to their play, allowing them to attack with more passes, which makes it harder to launch counter-attacks against them,” he said.

“Because before they finish their attacks, they make sure to eliminate any counter-attacking options. They’re very direct on the left wing, while on the right they turn more… The challenge of counter-attacking against them is greater,” he added.

With Kylian Mbappé in prolific form, Corberan admitted it will be difficult to stop the French international this weekend.

“If he were easy to stop, they would have done it already, and he wouldn’t be scoring those goals. We know his level, and this match demands maximum competitiveness from us. If you lose focus for even a split second, Mbappe will catch you off guard,” he said.

He was also asked about Vinicius Jr., who has 9 goals in 12 games against Valencia. Corberan emphasized a collective approach rather than a man-marking assignment.

“In the match we played at Mestalla, Foulquier played on the right flank; at the Bernabeu, it was Max Aarons or Mosquera.

This is a match where Thierry should be responsible for that area. But it’s not a match to focus on just one player, because Real Madrid has many different qualities. We have to focus on our own strengths,” he said.

When asked about the frequent refereeing controversies that upset visiting teams at the Bernabeu, Corberan stated his focus is on what his team can control.

“We need to focus on what’s within our control. Providing that constant support will depend on us. We have absolute confidence in the importance of the referees. Humans can make mistakes. The problem is that the technology meant to correct errors can create new ones that weren’t actually made—that’s the real issue,” he concluded.

Source: AS