Corberán demands 'character and rage' as Valencia seek escape from relegation zone
Valencia boss Carlos Corberán calls for mental strength ahead of crucial Getafe clash, with Los Che desperate to improve on their record of just one win in 14 matches.
Valencia head into Sunday’s clash with Getafe in desperate need of points after slipping into the relegation zone following a dismal run of just one win in their last 14 matches.
Cup success offers glimmer of hope
Despite their league struggles, Valencia managed to secure passage to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with Thursday’s victory over Burgos. The quick turnaround gives Corberán’s men precious little recovery time - just 63 hours between final whistle and Sunday’s 14:00 kickoff at the Coliseum.
The Valencia boss has been forced to adjust training schedules to accommodate the tight fixture list, though he remains optimistic about his squad’s condition.
“For tomorrow’s match we’ll need character, rage and a strong mentality,” Corberán explained during his pre-match press conference, highlighting the mental attributes required to overcome their current predicament.
Squad management crucial
With Valencia competing on two fronts, Corberán emphasized the importance of having his entire squad ready to contribute:
- Dani Raba remains a doubt, with the manager awaiting updates on his condition
- No major injury concerns from Thursday’s cup tie
- New signing Arnaut Danjuma received special praise: “I’m delighted with him; he has excellent capabilities”
Bordalás reunion
The match represents a reunion with former Valencia boss José Bordalás, now in charge at Getafe. Corberán was quick to express his admiration for his counterpart:
“I have great respect for José. He had a very good season at Valencia and has done well wherever he’s been. He makes his teams very competitive.”
However, the Englishman rejected suggestions that Getafe are working with limited resources: “I don’t agree they have minimal resources; I see a squad with good footballers, experience and recent signings.”
Looking for the turning point
Valencia did defeat Getafe in their earlier meeting this season, but Corberán refused to dwell on past successes, focusing instead on the present challenge.
“We’re aware that we want and need to win. The need is as great as the team’s desire to achieve it,” he stated.
With the second half of the season now underway, the gaffer identified clear areas for improvement, particularly defensively and from set pieces - aspects that will be severely tested against a physical Getafe side.
For Valencia fans, they’ll be hoping their team can show some proper bottle on Sunday - the situation’s becoming a right old barney down at the bottom of the table.