Gattuso: “We dedicate the win to our fans”

Gennaro Gattuso talked with the press after Valencia CF’s first away win of the season, against CA Osasuna on LaLiga Matchday 8.

The team interpreted all the orders very well.

We started well. When you win, people talk well about you. It had been six months since I won away from home, but I always say the same thing. We played badly in Vallecas. Today we were attentive to long balls. Tactically, I really liked the way the team played; not in the final minutes, but playing here is not easy because the opposition have been playing together for a long time and have a great mentality. We won a great game.

Many fans came to Osasuna today on a weekday night to support the team.

I'm not talking about Europe or anything like that. This league is very tough. I am talking about reaching 40 points, and then we can talk about something else. It is difficult to play against Osasuna and we took risks 4 or 5 times. We have to keep working. I like how we are working, but winning is very difficult to do. We must keep our feet on the ground and take things game by game. We went to applaud the fans after the match. It is not easy to bring 300 fans here. The fans are our strength. They push us when we play at home, and also away from home. Today’s victory is dedicated to them.

The referee showed a yellow card and we don't know why. Also, what happened with Diakhaby?

That was because the referee thought I was talking to him. But I wasn’t. I was angry with Ilaix. With Diakhaby I got angry as well. Four reds in eight games seems too much to me, and more when you're on the bench. It's unacceptable.

What did Valencia CF do well to nullify Osasuna?

Our pressure. We also worked very well off the second ball. We had good marking. In the final minutes they played long balls and the mentality when we won the second ball was to be fluid and have quality. Cavani helped a lot with this. His play was top quality. We did well.

Is it possible that in the first half you defended with a 4-1-4-1?

No. Lino and Kluivert alternated pressing the other defender, along with Cavani. It was how we always press.

You have already scored four goals from set pieces. Are you happy with the strategy?

Yes. I have to take a good look at it. I think Osasuna had chances from set pieces. I liked the strategy in attack, but not in defence. I think we risked a lot.

Did you know that this is the first time that a father and son have scored for Valencia CF?

Kluivert has to think that he has a lot of quality. He has wasted 2-3 years. With his quality, he plays, then he doesn't play. I like him. He can't just play for 20 minutes. The match lasts 90 minutes. He has to think about when he has the ball and when he doesn't. He has speed, technique and he has to get a little more blood in his veins and think about football 24 hours a day so he can do more, because he has everything to succeed. If he keeps working like this, he can do much better.