Carlos Corberán sets out Valencia’s February targets after upturn | OneFootball

Valencia ended January better than it began, stringing three straight wins after a defeat in Vigo and a draw with Elche. The drop remains two points away, and Carlos Corberán has set short-term targets for February. According to Superdeporte, he wants to stabilise the side, raise levels against stronger rivals, improve at Mestalla and integrate signings.

Recent line-ups suggest a core is emerging. Pepelu’s holding role alongside Ugrinic has worked, while Lucas Beltrán looks more effective with a pure nine ahead, and Copete, Dimitrievski and Ramazani have impressed, with Dimitrievski deputising for the injured Julen.

Consistency now has to carry into tougher fixtures. Valencia face Betis at La Cartuja, Athletic in the cup and Real Madrid at Mestalla, where full competitiveness will be essential.

Later in the month come derbies at the Ciutat de Valencia, then La Cerámica against Villarreal. Standards will need to rise again.

The Copa quarter-final is set to feel special. Valencia are three matches from a final, two of them at Mestalla, and a buoyant Avenida de Suecia is expected to drive the push for the semi-finals, which will be two-legged.

Home form is another priority. Draws against Elche, Mallorca and Sevilla still sting, and the upcoming visits of Real Madrid, Athletic, Osasuna and Alavés demand a better return.

January’s additions must adapt quickly. Sadiq is well known to Corberán and has begun this second spell from the bench, while Guido Rodríguez arrives short of minutes in the Premier but with proven LaLiga pedigree after his Betis years.

Unai Núñez is harder to place. Signed to cover the injured Diakhaby, he is nominally behind Copete and the currently injured Tárrega, and Corberán must decide whether to persist with Cömert, who scored against Espanyol, or turn to the newcomer this weekend.

Source: Superdeporte