Valencia CF Coach Carlos Corberán Previews Copa del Rey Clash Against CD Eldense

VALENCIA, Spain – Valencia CF coach Carlos Corberán addressed the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s Copa del Rey last-32 clash against CD Eldense at the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium. The match marks a crucial opportunity for Valencia to advance in the tournament while continuing to refine their playing style under Corberán’s leadership.

Corberán emphasized the importance of growth and evolution for his squad, stating, ‘The goal is to continue growing, to continue taking steps forward, to continue evolving this idea of how we want to play.’ He highlighted the team’s focus on balancing defensive solidity with offensive control, a strategy that was evident in their recent performances.

Valencia enters the match following a 2-1 loss in Corberán’s debut as head coach, but the team remains optimistic. The eight-time Copa del Rey champions secured their place in the last 32 with a 3-1 victory over Ejea in the previous round. Meanwhile, CD Eldense, a Segunda División side, has shown resilience in the tournament, defeating Cádiz 1-0 in the second round.

Corberán acknowledged the challenge posed by Eldense, describing them as ‘a very aggressive team in defence’ and a motivated side playing at home. He added, ‘We are aware that they are not going to gift us anything and that we have to continue evolving our idea to move on to the next round.’

The coach also addressed the competition within his squad, noting that the Copa del Rey provides an opportunity to evaluate less frequently used players. ‘The objective tomorrow is to evaluate the capacity of the group and to see the competitive capacity of the players that we put on the field,’ he said.

One player in focus is striker Umar Sadiq, who is ready to compete after joining Valencia. Corberán praised Sadiq’s attitude, stating, ‘He is a player who has come in with the mentality of helping out.’

Valencia’s primary objective remains clear: to be as competitive as possible in every match. Corberán stressed that progressing in the Copa del Rey aligns with the club’s broader goals, offering valuable opportunities for player development and tactical refinement.

The match kicks off at 9:00 PM local time on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in Elda, Spain.