Valencia Prepares for Crucial Match Against Getafe

Valencia CF is now focused on their upcoming La Liga match against Getafe, following their qualification for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against Burgos last Thursday.

Head coach Carlos Corberán has adjusted the training regimen to accommodate the 63-hour period between matches, with the next game scheduled for Sunday at 14:00 at the Coliseum. The team is in dire need of positive outcomes, having secured only one victory in their last 14 matches, which has placed them in the relegation zone.

Regarding the squad’s condition and player Dani Raba, Corberán stated, “Today’s training session will be crucial for assessing and diagnosing the players’ fitness. As of now, I do not expect any changes from the squad that played in the last Copa del Rey match, as the injuries reported were normal. We had to make decisions that impacted yesterday’s training, but I believe they won’t affect tomorrow’s match. I will know for certain after today’s session. Concerning Dani Raba, we will monitor his recovery to determine if he can participate or if he will continue treatment with the medical staff.”

When asked if he would maintain the lineup from the Copa, he noted, “To achieve our objectives, it is vital to have all players at their best, especially with two competitions underway. Our goal is to ensure everyone is performing at their highest level to aid the club. I always prefer to speak with players before they join the team to understand their mindset and to set expectations. These discussions do not create privileges. I am very pleased with Danjuma; he possesses great abilities, and I am confident he will bring much joy to Valencia.”

On managing player minutes due to limited rest, Corberán expressed, “To compete tomorrow, we will need character, determination, and a strong mentality. I see the team with that desire and resolve. The match will demand a high level of competitiveness because we know Getafe well, including their squad and management. The players are eager to achieve a positive result and prove themselves in La Liga.”

Discussing José Bordalás and his management of a resource-limited team, he said, “I have great respect for José. He had a successful season at Valencia and has done well wherever he has coached. His teams are always competitive. I don’t agree that he has limited resources; I see a squad with skilled players, experience, and recent signings. He deserves credit for his effective work and results. Our focus is on ourselves. I have very competitive players, and we want to demonstrate that and achieve something positive tomorrow.”

On the Burgos complaint regarding Sadiq and the Copa experience, Corberán remarked, “There are positive aspects. I appreciate that when the team desires something and fights for it, they can achieve it; this reinforces the belief that the team can accomplish great things. This mentality directly connects to the upcoming La Liga match: if we want something, we must fight for it until we achieve it. As for the complaint, I am unsure. In Spain and Europe, players can represent two clubs in one season, affecting the competitions involved. I don’t understand Burgos’s reasoning in requesting a rescheduling of the match; it lacks consistency.”

Regarding their earlier victory against Getafe, he acknowledged, “We recognize our need to win. The urgency is as strong as the team’s desire to achieve it. We focus on ourselves; the past is behind us. We are now faced with new circumstances and aim to deliver our best performance and secure a positive outcome.”

Lastly, on the possibility of replicating last season’s impressive second half, Corberán stated, “I cannot predict what we will achieve. The team is performing well in many aspects, even if the results have not met our expectations, indicating areas for improvement. We need to minimize goals conceded; defensively, we aim to make progress. We want to improve our set-piece play, utilizing it to our advantage while reducing options for the opponent. Getafe will test us to the maximum in this regard, as they have key players in set-piece situations. We aspire to grow as a group because mastering various aspects of the game brings us closer to positive results. We start the second half of the season with that desire and eagerness to improve.”