Bordalás: “We are going to face the match against Villarreal CF with the utmost interest”

Coach José Bordalás appeared in a press conference ahead of Villarreal CF vs. Valencia CF, on Matchday 33 of the LaLiga season.

There are six league games left and Valencia CF are facing a direct rival. Is this the last chance to latch onto the fight for European places?

It's difficult, but every game is an opportunity and we're going to face it with the utmost interest. It's an important week for us and that's how we're going to face it.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's game, are there real chances that some of the second team players will be included in the squad?

Yes. We have players with problems and this is not the time to take unnecessary risks. Lato has not trained as a precaution. Gabriel Paulista is recovering to see if he can make the final and some players have some discomfort. Foulquier is injured, and Gonçalo has some discomfort. We may still have them back for tomorrow.

How do you prepare for a week in which you play tomorrow in LaLiga and on Saturday in the final?

It's difficult. Saturday's match is not just any match. Neither is tomorrow’s game, but Saturday is a final. We will try to handle it in a way that means we don’t take risks with players that we think are important for the final on Saturday.

Gaya has said that there was concern about refereeing and that it would be repeated in the final. Do you agree?

Gaya is a player with experience, and his comments are because of what has been happening this season with actions that have clearly harmed us. Last weekend's game had decisions that affected the final result. If the decisions had been given, the result would have been different. It is not the first time and a final is very important, but we are confident that what has been happening this season will not happen, and that the decisions will be correct.

Is it very bothersome to have to play tomorrow, having a final on Saturday?

This is not the time to lament that, but rather to face it. We cannot divert our attention because we are talking about an historic week. A final is really important and we are only planning to face tomorrow's game with the best possibilities, just like the final on Saturday. We are thinking about our club and about our fans, and this is not the time to lament things, but rather to stick together and put all our experience into a week that could be historic.

Is the time dragging on, with so many league games from March 2nd to April 23rd?

Undoubtedly, yes, because you have to manage things and always keep an eye on the final on April 23rd. We would have liked the final to have been earlier, but the calendar is the same for both us and Betis. We try to ensure that the team come into the game in the best condition.

We have seen Guedes training at a different pace to the rest of the squad. Will he be fit for the final?

Yes. He took a heavy knock, but he's doing fairly well. He wanted to go onto the pitch to see how he felt, and he felt better. He will be with the team, of that I have no doubt.

Emotionally, how do you handle something so important?

We feel happy and responsible. We all know what a big event it is. It is an historic moment that all Valencianistas are waiting for with great enthusiasm. We know how important the club is to our fans, and how important the fans are for Valencia CF. We all know that we have to do our best for them. I've only been at Valencia CF for a short time, but the best thing that the club have is their fans. They have surprised me from day one. Without giving them the results that they deserve, they are always there and are very excited. We can't let them down. We have to give our all -and more- to win the cup, because they deserve it.

Have you told them that it is a historic moment? Is it also historic for you?

The most important thing is what is coming up. The most important moment is now. We have all had good and bad times, and this game is the most immediate one. I’m coaching Valencia CF. I have experienced the expectation and the excitement, and that makes me feel doubly responsible. I have noticed how excited people are to enjoy a final and, if possible, a trophy. Valencia CF have to be at these big events. This year we are, and we are going to face it with the utmost interest. It is also very important for me.

Are Villarreal CF an example for Valencia CF?

I don't know if they are for Valencia CF. They are an example for football. It says a lot about Villarreal CF, those in charge and the team, that such a small city is in the Champions League semifinals. It deserves merit. I give them all of my recognition and admiration, because it is not easy. They are certainly an example for football.

You play tomorrow against Villarreal CF. What worries you the most? Will those who play tomorrow not play on Saturday?

We don't have that possibility. Villarreal CF have a squad that has two XIs, in which the differences between them are hardly noticeable. They are a team in the semifinals of the Champions League. They have very good numbers, they know how to play well together, they have fast players and others skilled at set pieces, they have many alternatives and they are a great team. We face the game knowing the virtues of the opposition, and with the utmost motivation to recover the points that we have dropped. Some players who play tomorrow will also be used on Saturday. We are going to try to manage it in the best way possible, to play a good game and get a good result.