Valencia coach Carlos Corberán has admitted that Real Betis Balompié's counter-attack was decisive for his team's 0-1 defeat at Mestalla. The victory for the Verdiblancos on the second matchday of LaLiga EA Sports left the local manager acknowledging the damage done by rapid transitions.
Corberán explained in a press conference that the aim was to avoid unforced losses of possession to not give Betis opportunities. "The chances we conceded were related to counter-attack situations," the coach said. "The opposition got a counterattack and managed to take the lead."
The Valencia manager did not blame the result on the five-man defence with which his team started. He insisted the formation did not prevent them from winning the match and that they could have achieved more in attack. However, he conceded that by defending more than they attacked, they struggled to get out of their own half. "When you recover possession, if you can't create danger, you need to try not to give the ball back to the opponent to maintain continuity," he added.
The disappointment at Mestalla
Corberán expressed his regret at not being able to deliver a win for fans whose support he called "sensational". "We are very hurt because there is nothing we want more than to win in front of our people at Mestalla," he stated. He accepted the criticism from the stands, which showed frustration after Betis's goal, and stressed that such a reaction is part of the team's job. He thanked his players for their effort, giving everything until the final move.
The coach also had words for academy player Otorbi, whom he brought on in the second half. "The minutes he played today show that we have a very promising young player with great potential," Corberán noted. He highlighted his qualities, his ability to take on players and his great power.
The transfer market
Regarding the transfer market, the manager confirmed the club is looking to strengthen the attack. "On the attacking side, we'll explore the possibilities of adding one or more players to the squad," he explained. Concerning defender Arnau Martínez, he indicated his situation is close to being concluded, which would complete the defensive side. The focus, he insisted, is now on taking a step forward in attacking options.
Betis's victory at Mestalla represents an important away win at the start of the season. Manuel Pellegrini's team demonstrated lethal efficiency in key moments, a virtue that will be fundamental for their campaign objectives. The Verdiblancos can already check their next fixture on the schedule page, where they will face Celta Vigo at the Benito Villamarín next weekend.
