Gattuso: "We have to maintain the same mentality for 90-95 minutes"

Gennaro Gattuso spoke to the media after Valencia CF’s draw on the road against RCD Espanyol, and noted several aspects for improvement for his side.

What assessment do you make of the match?

I liked the way the team played a lot in the first half, and there were four or five good chances, we've always kept up the intensity. I got a little angry because we had paid a lot of attention throughout the week to second balls, and if you look at the second goal it was crazy. We are a young team and we have to go through this, but after scoring to make it 0-1 a little more experience or more headers would have made things turn out different. We have to make better decisions in many situations. When we have difficulties we have to improve.

Why did the team change so much from the first to the second half?

We have to talk about the game. Before the goal to make it 0-1, I didn't see RCD Espanyol have chances. Then we made a mistake on a second ball and conceded. This is a process. It is normal. We cannot go to the supermarket and buy experience; that is something that is achieved on the pitch. It's normal, and I'm aware that we have to improve. We need to get better at reading the game. The home field factor Spain counts for a lot and it's not easy, but we have to improve. I’m happy that the team played with personality and technique, but we have to improve on the things that I have said.

How is Gabriel Paulista? Did he pick up an injury?

No, he was tired. He had no problem. We have to see how Castillejo is, as he played with an anti-inflammatory injection. We hope to get him back on Friday against CA Osasuna.

Although the team were close to losing, you must be happy that the team fight until the end.

We have to fight for 90 minutes, not fight only in a moment of desperation. We have to maintain the same mentality for 90-95 minutes, and not only react when we concede another goal. We needed to fight when it was 0-1. 

Once again, in an away game, the team missed out on an important win and an opportunity to be more consistent.

It's easy to talk. I have already explained this. Since I have been coaching the team, they have only failed at Vallecas. The team, until now, has always played with the right mentality. When we have the game in our hands, we have to be able to control it. We have quality and we have a good mentality. We need to improve.