Gattuso: "Against Sporting we have to have the same mentality as in the Supercopa"

Valencia CF coach Gennaro Gattuso previewed the Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie against Sporting Gijon in his pre-match press conference.

Squad fitness

Diakhaby has a problem with the injury he has had, a scar that is bothering him. Thierry has a problem with his hamstring. Cömert has also had a little back pain, but he trained today. We only have two players who are not available for tomorrow's game, plus Castillejo who has already started running and is waiting for special protection to start working with the group.

The dressing room mood

When I say that the shirt weighs heavy and that we have an amazing fanbase and a lot of responsibility due to the club’s history, I say it because of the pressure that is there. When you're at a big club you have to win games, and when you're at a big club and you don't win games for 4 or 5 weeks it's difficult, so that's why I've always talked about reaching 40 points; not because I'm afraid of relegation to the Segunda División. When you don't win, the ball weighs two kilos more, the shirt weighs more... Right now we have a way of working, of not being afraid, playing with enthusiasm as we played against Real Madrid. It’s the way forward.

Bringing in a midfielder

I speak every day with the club about many players, about numbers, and about whether a deal can be done or not. Right now, I have to occupy my time with my team, and my concern today is my team. The club know what we have to do, but my priority is the team.

Hugo Guillamón’s recovery

We need him to regain fitness and confidence. Hugh is very smart. He is amazing and he has very high intelligence. He knows that right now he has to recover. After coming back from the national team he had some physical and mental difficulties. He is a very smart kid and we have to get him back to his best.

Signings

I don’t propose one name, but rather I propose many names. But then you have to have the money for the possibility of signing players. I don’t think that signing for signing’s sake is correct. If we have to sign, it has to be a player who comes in to help the team, who has experience. Thats the reality.

It’s normal that I would like to work with a player who is already here and understands what we have to do, but we are looking for players who will come in to improve the squad. We have to look for a player who, if he comes, will help the team.

Adnan Januzaj

I can't talk about the names of players who are at another club. Corona and I have talked about many players, but I cannot say their names out of respect for the team that they are playing for now.

The profile of potential signings

The profile has not changed. It's the same thing I said 4 days ago in Saudi Arabia. It’s normal that if you sign a player, they must have played minutes and not need time to adapt. We are playing two games a week and we need players with minutes in their legs.

Disappointment with the transfer market

I’m not disappointed, because I have a lot of respect for my team. When I look at the team that plays games like they did against Real Madrid -although it's true that I didn't like the game against Cádiz-, when I see the team and how they work during the week, I have to spend time with the team I have. We have talked about many players, but the market is very expensive and it is not easy for us. I'm not angry. I have to think about my team.

The game against Sporting Gijon

We have more to lose than to gain. We have 4 or 5 players who have already played in the tie the year they won the Copa del Rey in 2019 with Marcelino and they lost 2-1 there. The team know it very well. We are playing a team that have a good mentality. They beat Rayo Vallecano in the previous round with incredible hunger, they have a first-class stadium and many players who have the quality to be in the Primera División. We have to play the same game we did against Real Madrid in the Supercopa, in terms of our mentality. If we play soft and without a good mentality it will be a bad game for us.

Samu Castillejo’s recovery

Normally it would take 4 or 5 weeks. When I was a player I had the same operation and I played again after 10 days, but if you look at my hand now, it's in a bad way. Samu has already started working on the pitch and if this protection arrives, he can start training with us. I hope that in a week or two he will be available.

Toni Lato’s situation

We have talked many times about Toni Lato. Everyone knows the respect and consideration I have for Toni Lato. He is a player who can play on the wing, in midfield and in all positions. The club have made a proposal, and it is not up to me to say if it is correct or not. It's difficult, because he's a player I like a lot, but I also have to respect the club.

The new coach at Sporting

It’s a worse situation for us. When the coach changes, the team always play with enthusiasm, a strong mentality and give 100% on the pitch. It will be a difficult match. They are a team that have often played with a line of 5, and also with a line of 4... those things can change a lot. They have many valuable players with experience in the Primera División and it will be a tough game for us. The team know it.

Diakhaby’s renewal

I am happy, as I was with the renewals of Guillamón, Gayá and all the kids who have renewed. From the way it was going, it seemed that it was difficult, but Diakhaby and his agent found a way and he has renewed, and I am happy about that.

Feeling responsible for renewals

I feel responsible for the situation we are in, because we have dropped many points in games in which the team have not been consistent with the plan that we proposed, and that is my responsibility. When I talk to the club, I talk about what I see during the week, about the style of the players... then the club decides, as I said with Toni Lato. I say what I think he can give and then the club decides. My responsibility comes when the team doesn't win, the rest is decided by the club.

The situation in LaLiga

We are only thinking about tomorrow. Tomorrow's match is 100% our priority.

The goalkeeping situation

Tomorrow I will decide who plays. The problem is not only about Mamardashvili or Iago. I have a lot of respect for everyone, but I have to make decisions. In goal, in defence, forwards, midfielders...

How is the dressing room doing emotionally?

If I look at the last game I am very excited. We had a great game against a great team that have won many trophies in recent years. The team were brave and we have to continue on that path. It is true that we are not doing well in the LaLiga table, but we have to think that tomorrow there is more to lose than to gain. I have to do work on the pitch, but also off it so that the team are calm and understand what we have to do on the pitch.