Bordalás: "We want to keep up our recent results and move up the table”

José Bordalás gave a press conference ahead of Valencia CF’s LaLiga Matchday 28 game against Getafe CF. 

How do you face your return to what was your home in recent seasons? 

I spent several seasons at Getafe. I had satisfying experiences there. However, this is football. Now I defend the interests of Valencia. Quique Sánchez Flores was also at Valencia CF as a player and coach, and now he is at Getafe. 

Quique highlighted Valencia's style of play. How do you feel about these constructive words after so much criticism? 

It is always appreciated that a colleague of Quique's stature gives his opinion in this way. He is a great colleague and has never had a bad word for a fellow professional. He is a great professional and he has my full recognition. He changed the face of Getafe CF. 

Is this one of the most emotionally important games of the season? 

It is always emotional when you return to a place where you have been loved and have left behind great friends, from the president to the employees of the club. I have a great relationship with them. Now my interest is to continue working so that Valencia CF gets the highest number of points this season. 

Do you have the feeling that you can’t let tomorrow's match get away from you? What is the plan for the recovery of Gayà? 

Tomorrow’s game is a tremendously important one for both teams. Getafe are close to the relegation places. Quique has changed the team, but they want to get back to winning ways after several weeks without a victory. Getafe's level of intensity is going to be very high. It's also going to be a tremendous game for us. We want to give continuity to recent results and climb positions in the table. 

Gayà is working with the fitness coaches and we trust that he will soon be able to return to the team. 

Ilaix was absent today and Racic is wearing a bandage. What alternatives do you have for central midfield? 

We've been through this almost all season. We have had absences for various reasons. We are confident that Ilaix will recover in time. Racic is fine, and he doesn’t have a big problem. We will have a competitive midfield. 

How do you think the Coliseum will welcome you? 

I don’t know. I don't give it much importance. I am always grateful for the recognition of the commitment and hard work of my coaching staff. I understand that the reception we get will be good. Coaches have come back here and people have thanked them. It happened recently with Marcelino and it would also happen if Quique Sanchez Flores came back here. 

Does the fight for Europe cross your mind? Are you going to take the opportunity to talk to Djené and Arambarri? 

The only person that I am sure that does not enter into any kind of euphoria is me. I am aware of the situation. It is true that victories stimulate you, but we cannot have that type of euphoria. During this season this has already happened to us, that after a good run we have had adverse results and it was difficult for us to recover. I want the players to have ambition and humility. We have to be aware that if we don't compete at 100% tomorrow, we will have difficulties. We are obliged to be at our best. 

I will greet many people with whom I am close. Arambarri and Djené are people for whom I have a lot of appreciation. I will be happy to greet them again and wish them the best.

How do you feel that making it to the cup final has changed the atmosphere? 

The mood has changed. It has been a breath of fresh air for everyone. That's good for the club, for the fans and for us. But that is to come. We have to focus on LaLiga. We still have time to finish the season in a remarkable way, but if we don't compete at 100% we won't be able to. The final will come, but it is still a long way off. LaLiga has to give us confidence for when the final comes. 

Alderete pointed out the possibility of reaching Europe via LaLiga. What would it be like for you to end the season like that? 

Getting into Europe would deserve a lot of merit. We know that the final stretch of the season is the most difficult, because all of the teams are playing for something. For example, Getafe are playing to stay up. Every game is going to be tremendously difficult. 

Have you told Jaume if he is going to start or not? How is Cillessen? 

We've been talking about other things. We talk to the players about many things, not just whether they are going to play or not. 

Jasper has already started getting back to fitness. He is doing much better and hopefully we can have him back as soon as possible. In this final stretch we are all going to be important. The team are united and we will work together. 

The president of Getafe, Angel Torres, said yesterday in an interview that if you were fourth you would be just as non-conformist - that you always want more. I have read some of your statements to the Agencia EFE, in which you say that Ángel Torres is the best president you have ever had. It is not usual for a protagonist to be so sincere.

I said it because it is true. I am a very sincere person. I have had great presidents, some very good ones. My president now, Anil, for example. No one should be offended. For me, Anil is also a great president. However, Ángel has been the best I've ever had and I have to say that. Perhaps it is because I had a very close relationship with him, and continue to maintain it.

When we were fighting for the Champions League spot, which Valencia CF finally got, everyone was very euphoric in Getafe and I was a little sad, because we all wanted to be in the Champions League and in the end it wasn't to be. This is why he says that. He knows me well. I always want more, when I was a player and also now as a coach. I'm a nonconformist, and I have to admit it. When I lose, I'm not happy. Football is my life, it's my passion, it's something incredible. I like to win, like everyone else, but I don't have a good time when my team don't win.

You have spoken several times about the intensity. What other things are going to be key in tomorrow's match? 

It's going to be a game with few risks, and very tactical. Getafe are a team who don’t lose shape, are very competitive and play with lines that are very close together. They have put big teams in difficulties. They beat Real Madrid when they were at their best. At the Wanda, against Atletico Madrid, the game got away from them due to some details. They are a team that have grown a lot. 

I can't talk about the tactical details we're working on, but the intensity is going to be very high because of what's at stake -not only in our game, but also in the others. 

Hugo Duro is returning home. Are you worried about possible ‘over-motivation’? 

He always has high motivation. He is from there, he has his family there and it will be special. It will be the first time that he faces the team at which he spent all his life. 

He is a very professional player and has already shown the commitment that he has to Valencia CF. He will try to help the team to get the victory. 

What can you tell us about the possible signing of Bryan Gil? Have you spoken with Arambarri again regarding him joining? 

I have not spoken with Arambarri about the summer. It's not the moment for that. We are immersed in competition and it would be disrespectful to do so. It is a delicate moment. 

As for Bryan, I have no knowledge of the situation. My club know that I am focused on the competition and any movement will be communicated to me. Right now, I don't think anything is happening. It is true that Bryan is giving us a lot, but the possibility will be addressed when the time is right. 

The team have put an end to the flood of goals conceded in recent games. How important is it to you to keep this up? 

It is always important to show solidity and defensive security, because it gives you confidence. It is one more thing that we have to continue working on. We cannot think that this comes naturally. What seems natural is talent, but not attention. We cannot lower our guard, as we need to keep continuity and also continue improving in that aspect.