Bordalás: “The players performed at a great level and we achieved a very important victory”

Three games, three wins. Is it time to look higher up the table?

It has been a very good week. We have achieved three victories; two very important ones in LaLiga and the one from Wednesday. I'm very happy. Despite the setbacks we had for this game, those who have participated did so at a good level and we achieved a very important victory.

How is Lato? How did Jesús Vázquez do?

It was another setback as soon as the game started. He is out because there have been a lot of injuries this season. He felt a twinge and we are going to find out the extent of the injury. Jesús entered in a difficult moment and without time to warm up, but he was very good. It was not easy, against opponents who were in great need of a win. In the second half we had more rhythm, we managed to get ahead and the goal conceded was a shame because it caused us some concern. Congratulations to the players and thanks to the fans, who were essential to us achieving victory.

How do you assess the victory? Hélder Costa was a regular until January and has lost prominence. Is it because he has lowered his performance?

I greatly appreciate this victory. It wasn't easy because of the week we’ve had, because of the effort that was made against Mallorca and Athletic. We had little time to prepare for this match. We had the celebration of making it to the final and it was not easy. We had little time. Mentally, players seemed a little confused, but we managed to win and I'm happy because it wasn't easy. Regarding Hélder Costa: There are more alternatives. He had helped us a lot and we trust that we will give him a leading role again. He's a good kid, a great professional and teammate, and I'm sure he'll help us from here to the end of the season.

A few weeks ago, you said that the team couldn't do any more. After these three victories, what can the team do?

That question was already asked by a journalist. It was a comment that I made because I was angry about how the defeat occurred and we were coming off a bad run of results. We had faced the teams from the upper part of the table and we had not beaten them. We trust that this will give us a boost emotionally. We trust that we can maintain our good streak. In the first half we had difficulties and it wasn’t easy. It's going to be hard to win games. Right now in LaLiga, every game has immense difficulty.

Does the perspective change after that week?

Undoubtedly, getting six points makes us more confident. We are further from the lower positions. We don't have to think about objectives rather but about approaching matches with the utmost interest, working to achieve victory. Right now there are teams in the upper part of the table who are consistent, and it will be difficult to catch up with them, but we will face each game with the utmost interest because our cup final is far away and we have to focus on LaLiga.

Are you happy with how you created in attack?

I am happy. We had numerous players out. In midfield we had players like Soler who put in a great effort on Wednesday. The team created chances. Perhaps there was a lack of calm when we led, and we wanted to make the last pass from the midfield. In fact, they scored the goal for us in an action that caught us out of position. The team don’t hold back and want to look for goal, and they wanted to score the fourth. The team are young, they needs to manage those moments and we lacked calm, but in general terms I am happy. All the staff have worked in training so that the team arrived mentally strong.

Maxi Gómez and Marcos André had a good game. How do you rate their performances?

I am very happy for both of them. It was not easy for Marcos André, who has had less prominence in the team. He has improved. He has helped a lot. He is very generous in his effort, with a lot of commitment. He has done a great job, first on the left side and on an offensive level where he has also participated. Maxi ended a goal drought. He scored, won a penalty and worked hard. I am very happy with both of them, and with the whole team. I congratulate them all because it was not easy.

How do you rate Cömert's performance?

I mentioned it when he arrived. It's difficult for a player who arrives, who doesn't know LaLiga, who comes from a smaller league, without speaking the language. Little by little he is improving. He was ok. He solved situations. In the move for the Granada CF goal, he was unable to stop the Granada CF player's run because he had a yellow card and it cost us the goal.

Why didn’t you sub Guedes off?

Maxi had problems and we didn’t have to take a risk. Soler was very tired and had muscle problems. Guedes felt good. He didn’t play in Mallorca. He had made a big effort but had also participated less, and he’s a player who is at his best, growing a lot and helping out in defence with his immense commitment. He is fantastic with the ball. He doesn’t only provide goals, but also helps out in defence. I’m tremendously happy with his performance and his commitment, and that’s why you don’t think about changing him.

Will you talk to LaLiga about moving the game just before the final?

I imagine that LaLiga will bear it in mind and try to adapt. No club should be bothered by it. It’s a very important game for Valencia CF and we will have enough time to prepare for the final. Millions of people will watch the game and it is a special attraction. They will adapt so as not to hinder any team.