MADRID, 21 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of Valencia, José Bordalás, has assured that “the unwanted results” of recent weeks “do not detract from the potential” of Atlético de Madrid, which they will face this Saturday at the Wanda Metropolitano, and has warned that the “attitude “It will be the key to try to beat the rojiblanco team.
“I have no doubt, they have been reaping good results in recent seasons, they are the current LaLiga champions, they are a great team and it may be surprising that they are a little more irregular, but they are up there and they are going to fight to be among the best The specific fact of having undesired results does not detract from its potential in any way,” he declared at a press conference.
He also explained that the ‘rojiblancos’ have used “several tactical drawings” this season. “It’s normal. When we coaches don’t get results, we look for solutions, I understand that Simeone is looking for solutions for his team. He has a great squad, we all want to give the team the best performance. I expect a very strong rival at home, it’s going to be a difficult and we are aware of it,” he said.
“We want to win and win with solvency, for the team to be able to play a great game and beat the rival. It’s difficult because they have squads with great potential, but it’s all in the attitude. The attitude is being very good and this is the way, work as we are doing and continue to grow as a team”, he added.
In this sense, he recalled that “all points are important from now on”. “We have passed the halfway point of the championship. I gave some examples, such as Elche or Getafe, who were having difficulties a few days ago and this is what LaLiga has, it is super competitive and anyone can beat you. Points are vital, we need to add. Tomorrow we have a difficult game, but we face it with optimism, enthusiasm and with the need to add points to be closer to the top positions”, he said.
Regarding Carlos Soler, he explained that he is “fine” and may be available, while they must wait to see how Daniel Wass, who has just overcome the coronavirus, is doing, to find out if they have him. “Wass has a contract with Valencia. I always analyze the emotional and physical state of the players. After being with COVID-19, I only think about whether he will be physically fit. I don’t think about anything else,” he said about a possible departure from Danish at the winter market.
The coach from Alicante also recognized that it is “probable” that they will not be able to count on goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who suffers from “a small, minimal injury”. “It is probable that tomorrow we will not have him, we have to be realistic, unless in tomorrow’s session there is a pleasant surprise and they have completely remitted the inconvenience and that’s it. Probably not. I have decided who is going to be the goalkeeper, but obviously I’m not going to reveal it,” he said.
On the state of the Uruguayan Maxi Gómez, who this week was left off the list against Sevilla due to a technical decision, he stated that his “opinion is the same.” “We all expect a lot more from him, he knows what he has to do to improve and be a useful footballer for the team and I see him willing to help the team,” he assured.
On the other hand, Bordalás joked with the incorporation to the training of the first team of the youth Jesús Santiago ‘Yellu’. “I didn’t know they call him ‘Yellu’. I knew they call him Jesús Santiago. I mean, let’s see if they’ve brought me a player and I haven’t heard about it… He’s a boy they spoke to me about, he’s been here for several years , I did not know him personally, but the reports are good. Given the needs and that we will not be able to count on Javi Guerra due to coronavirus, he has trained with us and tomorrow too. Tomorrow we will decide after training, “he said.
Regarding possible signings, Bordalás is expectant. “When a player arrives, the club will let me know. I have no doubts,” he said. “We have had injuries, COVID, external situations that have affected us to be able to put together the team… We are focused on the game because we are in a vital, important moment of the championship. From the end of tomorrow’s game we can enter to assess other situations. My opinion has not changed, I am not a person who changes my opinion easily,” he warned.
Finally, he did not want to assess the rumors that point to a possible incorporation of Óscar Mingueza. “He is a magnificent player because he is at FC Barcelona, I don’t know what has transpired. Let’s see if this is Guantánamo, that there are recordings and loudspeakers. If he asks me about that player, I tell him that he seems like a magnificent player, I can’t say nothing else,” he concluded.