Oscar Sánchez: “The team is alive and wants to turn things around”

Óscar Sánchez said goodbye as Valencia’s interim coach after a 2-3 defeat to Real Sociedad at Mestalla. The manager admitted he leaves “pretty downhearted,” but felt encouraged by how the team responded after falling behind, levelling the score on two occasions before Barrene struck in stoppage time.

A response despite the blow

In his assessment, Sánchez pointed to the early stage: in his view, ball losses in the first half helped Real break forward and create chances. He also said Valencia were “too far apart” when they had possession.

After the break, the coaching staff looked for solutions from the bench, with the introduction of David Otorbi to add more width and depth on the flanks. Sánchez argued the team read the plan well and noted that, when it was 1-1, Valencia had several chances to go ahead. “The problem was the penalty that brought Real back in front,” he said, while stressing the side’s personality.

Mestalla and youth talent

Sánchez highlighted the crowd too: “Mestalla… has been spectacular throughout the match,” he said. He also defended the contribution of the academy, citing Aimar Blázquez for the 2-2 and minutes for Otorbi when the team needed to tip the balance.

As MARCA reports, the interim coach insisted Valencia should keep being “a club of an academy” and underlined that youth players matter as much as first-team ones—if they earn it, they’ll get their chance. His main regret was not being able to give the fans the win.