Baraja: “We have to correct things as soon as possible"

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja gave his assessment of the 1-0 loss to Deportivo Alavés on LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 4 in his post-match press conference.

His evaluation of the game

We started with doubts, which we had talked about before. I don't understand how, in the first two actions, we conceded a penalty, we saved it, then had a retake and saved it again, and then from the next action they scored a goal. The lack of tension, the lack of concentration, is inexplicable. The pace of the first half was far below what the game required, both with the ball and without it. With the ball we were very clunky, without moving quickly, taking a lot of touches, and Alavés pressed well. We did not find our way with the ball in the first half and without the ball, we played at the wrong pace -all the rebounds went to them.

After the break we took a step forward in terms of what the game needed, we looked for solutions and used the changes to be able to get upfield. We had our chances, despite the fact that they had dangerous counters that could have seen us concede a second goal.

We have to understand that we cannot start games like this, we cannot concede. Every action is important and we have to correct these things as soon as possible because the competition is not forgiving of you, and if you give things away then everything becomes more complicated.

Cenk's substitution for Mosquera

Cenk didn't seem like he has been other days. He was somewhat imprecise in the first actions of the game, and we needed to circulate the ball with more speed. Mosquera came on and performed at a good level, providing what the game asked for: Fluidity, playing simpler and faster and finding situations on the wings.

Yaremchuck

He has had a very difficult week in which he has hardly trained, and I think he was not in a position to take risks in this situation. He has to get on the pace, settle down and work so that he is available to the team. He was not prepared for a game like today's.

Signings

Now is a moment in which, with the transfer window closed, the club will make their assessments and set their expectations regarding the season that has just got underway, and they will explain how the signing process has been. Everything depends on budgets and the limitations we have.

What I have to do is to dedicate myself to working and coaching, seeking the sporting stability of the team and working calmly, having our fans support us and push us on as they always do. We have to work hard, persist, and try to improve to achieve results.

The double fullback strategy

We wanted a strong wing with speed, depth and legs, because Alavés work a lot on that left wing. They defend well and have speed on the counterattack. But the plan didn't go well.

Thierry was not at the level that I had hoped, and it is something that I accept. I made the decision and Fran Pérez came in because we thought he could provide what we needed in the second half.

The reality of the club's situation

It is evident that we all want a better Valencia CF that challenge for other objectives, but the reality now is what it is. I understand that our fans are frustrated and feel that other things can be done, but we are limited by some issues that the club will explain. 

The fans want players to come in and to have a good team to fight for big things, but our reality is totally different: We have to use young players and need them to perform well. That allows them to grow and have the possibility of getting into the U-21s squad for Spain like happened this week: Three players who played in the Segunda RFEF last year were called up. It is a reward for their work. 

What is very evident and we agreed on is that it is a moment of great difficulty and now we have to look for stability, because we need to work to ensure that the kids grow and that they assume the reality of what it means to play for Valencia CF. 

We also need our fans. I am convinced that the fans will be there and will support us because the team, except today at the start of this match, have had energy, have been brave, have had pace in the games. It makes me have hope that we can achieve what we want, but we need them to support the team and fight for the goal that we have this season.