Bordalás: “I’m satisfied because every player helped the team to victory”

José Bordalás talked after the win for Valencia CF at the Estadio Martínez Valero, in his post-match press conference.

What assessment do you make of the victory?

I'm very happy. It was a difficult game against great opposition. Elche CF were in great form in their play and results. It wasn't easy and the team had a great game. We were able to neutralise them, we scored a goal and we had chances to score a second and be calmer in the final stretch. They tried to equalise from set pieces, where they have a lot of strength thanks to a great striker in Lucas Boyé. It’s a very important victory, the team were very solid defensively, despite the players who were missing, and I want to congratulate the team.

How is Diakhaby?

Tests will be done to see what injury he has, and let's hope he doesn't have any bone injuries -although he was pretty sore.

What do you think about the fact that Elche CF could have equalised several times?

We were forced to grow, they had some counters that came due to a lack of communication from us, and from them having positioned themselves on the field better. That's because of our youth: We are the youngest team in the Primera División. We are forced to grow. It is necessary to be solid defensively. Elche CF generated chances and we interpreted the game well.

Do you think that the team have found the key to consolidating a good dynamic of results?

Let's trust that this is the case, because obviously it is bringing us closer to the top positions and it is going to give us confidence ahead of the Copa del Rey final, which is tremendously important for the club, the team and the fans. We are very happy in this aspect, but we must continue working with humility. I want to send a message to the fans: They have been sensational with their support, as always.

Both the starters and the substitutes contributed to the victory.

In principle we started with a 4-3-3 and then we made changes. We had to move Hugo Guillamón to the centre of the defence, and then players came in who gave us freshness, because Yunus and Bryan were tired. I am satisfied, because all the players helped the team a lot.

The team have improved their numbers defensively for some time now. How do you assess this?

I have always talked about balance. My teams have conceded few goals, but they have always scored many. People tend to focus on my teams defending well, but they are also daring, they look for the opposition goal. That has sometimes caught us out, being ambitious.

Today there were actions in which we had five or six players forward looking for the second goal. It is essential to have a balance, and when we did not have that, we conceded many goals and it was tremendously difficult to get good results. The players have realised this, they have reflected and they have seen that it has to be that way. We have to keep working. Every team has a good squad, and today Elche CF looked for victory from the opening minutes, but they had a great Valencia CF up against them.

The Elche CF fans showed their affection for you on your return to the Martínez Valero. What was it like?

Today there was a great reception. they have always received me with affection here, acknowledging the work and commitment I had at Elche CF. I greatly appreciate it. They are great fans and I only have words of praise for them. Elche CF have grown a lot, are stabilising themselves in the top flight, are a team with experience and solvency, and t is difficult to beat them. They have shown that in recent months. I'm sure they won't have any problem staying in the Primera División, as they have a great coach and magnificent fans.

Two goals have been disallowed by VAR. How did you see them?

I haven't seen the moves and can't comment on them. On the iPad, we always watch some repeated actions, but today there were coverage problems and we haven't had that opportunity, so I can't comment. There was a disallowed goal for each team. The referee was promoted to LaLiga this season, he has personality, and I predict a good future for him. He lets play flow, and perhaps there were actions that one team or the other can complain about, but I like him because he doesn't stop the game constantly; that's good for football. There is a high level of intensity, there is a lot of contact and if you stop things too much the game fades.