Corberán: "We have six points remaining and we have to fight for all of them" | OneFootball

Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán gave his impressions of the team's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on LaLiga Matchday 36.

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A draw not being enough

“I wouldn’t say it was a lack of ambition. I’d say we wasted the opportunity because we didn’t get the three points. Not due to a lack of ambition, but a lack of fluidity, a lack of impact at key moments in the game. We weren’t able to overwhelm Rayo Vallecano, which was our intention.”

Energy and impetus

“I think Valencia CF's opening minutes were played more with our hearts than our heads. We wanted to attack quickly. As a result of those quick attacks, we had a chance for Javi Guerra and another for Rioja. They also had a penalty, a goal, and some quick attacks that created danger for us. The excitement of trying to do everything sometimes makes you disorganised. The team started with impetus, but were disorganised, and when you're like this, it makes you look like something you're not. The energy and impetus, but without organisation or cohesion, prevented us from translating that energy into something positive. By putting Unai at right-back, we gained some more stability, with a full-back who attacked less, Luis playing on his weaker foot, and Diego playing centrally. Valencia CF regained control, but we couldn't create any real danger. In the second half, we played in their half, we played better than Rayo, but it wasn't enough to overcome the opponents we were facing.”

The support of Mestalla

“When the fans at Mestalla come out to give us everything, as they did today, when you can't give them what you want to give them, the feeling is disappointment for them. That's the reality, and it's the one I have to accept as the person responsible for the team. When we don't get the results we want, and with the support of Mestalla, which was vital today, we have to accept that criticism because that's how it is; it's the responsibility we have.”

Upcoming matches

“We’re focused on getting to the end in top form, and we’ll use what’s happened to improve in every match. Throughout the year, it’s been very difficult to string together several consecutive positive results and control where we want the game to go. We have matches ahead in which to maintain the certain characteristics the team have been showing and try to translate that into points.”

Substitutions

“I’m never going to underestimate an opponent. As the minutes passed, we gained control, but we lost some attacking edge. Rayo lost some attacking edge as well, because at the beginning of the game they had chances to extend their lead. We made the substitutions to go for the win. We took off a defensive midfielder and brought on a central midfielder. We swapped one striker for another. And we replaced a central midfielder with an attacking midfielder. The substitutions were made for us to go for the win, and none were due to a lack of performance. All the players on the pitch were helping the team, but we also have confidence in the players we have on the bench and the impact they can have. If you look at the previous match, Ramazani and Sadiq makes an impact coming off the bench. We have to make the most of every player we have. None of the players who were substituted were having a bad game at all.”

The final two fixtures

“The view we have is that we have another game coming up, and nobody can guarantee anything in a completely unpredictable league season. There are six points left to play for, and Valencia CF have to fight for every single one. In two days, we have a crucial match against a great side, and Valencia CF have to have a great game. I don't feel like we're safe. None of us in this position can feel safe. We all have to keep picking up points."

Continuing to compete

“We haven't been able to string together the run of results that would have taken us to a different position in the standings. When things happen like this, what you have to do is face the situation. We have 43 points, and there are two games left that we're going to have to fight hard to win. We haven't been able to pick up more points that would have allowed us to fight for something different. This is the situation, and we have to deal with it. We have to keep fighting at our best because no objective has been achieved yet. What we have to do right now is focus on the next match, which is coming up immediately and is very demanding, and we have to take another step forward as a team to get something positive out of it.”