Bordalás: "The important thing was to go through, and we succeeded"

Valencia CF's head coach, José Bordalás spoke in a post-match press conference following the win against FC Cartagena (1-2).

Soler and Racic’s fitness

In a move near the end, Soler noticed some discomfort. He is waiting on tests and we hope that it is just a small problem. Racic has to improve; he has to step up. Today he had a hamstring problem and we decided to sub him off as a precaution. We have a game on Saturday and few players available.

Isn't it a bit bizarre that there are three players who have traveled to Cartagena in a van instead of with the rest of the expedition on a bus?

It is not a bizarre situation. Due to the health situation, Valencia CF are taking great care. It was for this reason. They are fine, in perfect condition to play and with medical clearance.

The importance of the Copa del Rey

The Copa del Rey is a competition that is tough in the opening rounds, but we all like it. Now we have got through to the Last 16. That was our objective. We have seen that it is always difficult to beat any opponent. The important thing was to go through, and we succeeded. Cartagena have a good team, with a lot of experience, as I said before the game, and that's how it turned out.

How is it possible that Valencia CF suffered so much against a Segunda División team?

Nowadays it takes a lot to win, whether you are Valencia CF or any other side. Espanyol went through on penalties yesterday, and today we too had difficulties. I’m sure there might be a few more surprises in this round.

Is it difficult to eliminate Segunda División teams?

I am happy about the result, but not with the performance. There are things that I didn’t like. The important thing was to go through, and we succeeded. At the start of the second half the game would have changed if we had scored from Helder Costa's chance. That’s football.

Was this the plan for today's match?

They equalised and we had some fatigued players. There were a few minutes left and the possibility of extra time. We always tried to go for the second goal, but there were only a few minutes left and I decided to bring Guedes on. It was not the original idea, but games change and you have to make decisions.

Were you ever worried about going through?

When games are tied and the opposition are in high spirits, obviously the stimulus is great-- You fear that the result will be adverse, but having confidence in being able to win and score the second goal, which came in the final minutes, has a bigger impact.

Are you concerned about the fitness of the squad?

Sometimes we are having problems. Many players who had minutes have gone through COVID. After COVID, players can get injured. It already happened when the pandemic started. Diakhaby had a strain, as did Carlos. We are confident that they will all recover quickly. The most important thing was to go through, and we did it. We struggled, but we got into the Round of 16.

FC Cartagena’s decisions

I do not think about the decisions that the opposition coach makes. He knows his players and makes decisions for his eleven players, just as I make them for Valencia CF.

How is Gabriel Paulista?

We'll see. Tests have been carried out and we are awaiting results.

The last move

It is a move that was far away and I cannot comment on it. The penalty decision did not seem like one to me, but the referee is the one who makes the decisions. It seemed to me that Jesús had his arm by his side, but I wasn’t close and I cannot comment.

Injuries

We can't think about it. We are Valencia CF and we are obliged to go as far as possible in the competition. Sometimes these things happen. These are very demanding matches. In the next round, the matches are going to be more difficult. We knew that this could happen and we are prepared to face it.