Gattuso: “We have to maintain our style for 85-90 minutes”

Valencia CF coach Gennaro Gattuso held a press conference ahead of the game against RCD Mallorca, which takes place on Saturday at 6:30pm local time.

How do you feel about tomorrow's game?

We are playing against a team who defend very well. They have a coach in Aguirre who has a lot of experience. They have 4-5 players with a lot of speed, and a powerful striker in Muriqi.

How can you improve your defending from set pieces?

We are working on it, but we must continue to improve in the second line. We defend zonally and I think it's a problem with our mentality. However, it is not just a set piece problem. There is a lot of difference in our pressing in first and second halves. I think we should improve this data. That’s my priority.

We must maintain our style for 85 or 90 minutes. I don't like to hang back, especially in this league where there is a lot of quality. If you defend so deep, the opponents will probably score against you.

What is happening to the team in second halves?

The pressure is not the same. I think we should improve this. I know it's not easy. I'm happy with the team, because I know that it's not easy to do in three months. But I am working with my coaching staff to improve this.

How is Samu Castillejo doing?

Next week he will be back available for us.

Nico cannot play against FC Barcelona. Does this affect your options for tomorrow's match?

It doesn’t have an influence. I have to decide for this match alone.

What do you think of Corona?

I am very happy that the people from the club spoke with you yesterday and I hope it will be done once a month. I’m very happy with how I am working with all the people at the club.

Right now, I think our strength is that we can talk to each other face to face. Although we work a lot, for us it is a privilege to work in football. I think we should continue in this direction.

How do you maintain a level as high as the team have had in first halves?

It’s a question of mentality. We must convince the players to continue. Now we are performing like that for 45-50 minutes, but we must improve the data that we have talked about before.

Could it be due to an excess of impetus due to the youth of the squad?

It's not because of that. It is not a question of a player. It's a team issue. It’s a mentality problem. It’s not a physical problem. We must improve this, but we know that it is not easy. The team know that we need to improve both this and set pieces.

What is happening to the team on set pieces?

Our problem is the second line. We must work better and balance things better. We must keep working. Right now it's not easy, as we have three games in a week and it's not easy to prepare.

Yunus is one yellow card away from a suspension. Does this affect his participation tomorrow?

It doesn’t. The priority is the match against Mallorca. My priority is right now. He is a very important player for us and I think he will improve game after game.

Can the team withstand the demand on a fitness level?

It is not a physical issue. It’s a matter of numbers, of mentality. I'm talking about pressure and the mental side. We must continue and have continuity. If it were a fitness thing, I would have said it here. Everyone talks about having the ball, but this is only easy when you have 4-5 options to play.

Is the idea that Cavani play all the time and bring his experience to the team?

I'm scared. I need to reserve him because of his ankle discomfort, although the other day he could have played 10-15 more minutes. He is a player who is scoring. It is important that he scores, but I love how he is in the dressing room and how he talks with his teammates.

Another player who is not playing much is Paulista, but in the dressing room he is behaving very well and helping a lot. I am very happy.

Will you play with double fullbacks?

Sevilla played with two No.10s and that made us think about reinforcing our wings with Thierry. We also swapped Diakhaby for Eray to cover Papu. Dimitri Foulquier's speed is also important. We adapt to the dangers that the opponents possess.