Bordalás: "We did enough to have achieved the victory"

Valencia CF coach José Bordalás gave a post-match press conference following the 0-0 draw at Mestalla against Real Sociedad.

The team did a good job defensively, despite the players missing. What assessment do you make?

We have problems. Today we had a lot of problems in the centre of the defence. We had to take a gamble on Cristhian Mosquera and Foulquier. One of the defenders was on a yellow card and we had to switch to a four-man defence, but I think the team were very solid. It's a shame to not have any of the three central defenders who have been starters available. Cömert had to be replaced because he was quite tired.

What do you think about the penalty against Cömert being called in the Copa del Rey, and the grab on Maxi Gómez not being given today?

We thought that technology was coming in to help, and instead we are seeing some incomprehensible things. We do not understand that some incidents of grabs in the box are given, and others are not. They occur every weekend, let's hope that things improve in that aspect.

Mosquera has gone from the Juvenil team to the first team and today he was subbed off at half time. Do you think it's too soon for him to play regularly?

These are situations that occur in football. I have had players who debuted with me as a Juvenil in the first team, because it is considered that they are at that level. With the absences that we have in defence, we gambled on him. I decided to change him because he was on a yellow card, and he committed a foul in which the opposition requested a second yellow card. I also considered that it was necessary to change the team. He is a very dedicated player. He is 17 years old. He is going to get better and he will be a magnificent footballer for Valencia CF.

You made rotations. Is it because you were thinking about the Copa del Rey?

Not because I was thinking about the Copa del Rey, but because we came into this game after having played on Wednesday. The team have been making a big effort. We take everything into account. We have a very important game on Thursday against Athletic Club. We considered that it was time to freshen up the team and reserve strength for what is to come.

You made changes at the break and the team improved. Do you think that with so many variations in positions for some players, the level of intensity and commitment is non-negotiable?

Valencia CF is the team we have. Guillamón moved to centre back because we don't have any more central defenders. Sometimes we make forced modifications. Today we made several out of necessity. We decided to rest some players to give the team more freshness. This is football and this is the obligation of the coach. The improvement is not only due to the changes. Sometimes, without making changes, the team have improved from the first to the second half. We have spoken and they knew that we hadn’t done well in the first half. The team started much better in the second half and we had the better chances. We did everything to achieve victory.

Are you clear about who will be the goalkeeper on Thursday?

I cannot say that. I have always said that I am happy with the work done by the goalkeepers. Giorgi was really good. I am happy. On Thursday we will decide who will be the goalkeeper who will play against Athletic Club.

You said that Ilaix Moriba could be a No.8 or a No.10. Today we saw him more in midfield. What do you think of what he did? What did you think of Yunus?

He was more fatigued. He has played few minutes this season. It is normal. The same thing happened to Eray: They are coming to a league with higher level and greater intensity. Yunus was helping a lot with pressing. Those were the best minutes for Yunus. I am happy with both of them. They are very young players, like most of the squad, and they are going to help us a lot.

What happened to Diakhaby?

He has trained, but not comfortably. He ended the match against Cádiz CF with problems and did not completely recover. This is not the time to risk. We knew it was a risk not having him, but the risk of injury was higher.

Bryan Gil was not lacking in energy

Today he had a tremendous display. He has come here with great commitment. We are all happy: The coaching staff, the club and the fans. He has adapted very well. It’s a shame not to have won against a great team. In the second half we did enough to have achieved the victory. It was a shame not to have scored a goal, because the result would have gone in favour of Valencia CF.