Baraja: "If we want to be competitive we have to correct the details, get back to our level and be continuous"

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja addressed the media after his side's defeat to Cadiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla

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"There were players who had played two games in a row and had not recovered, because we hadn't even had three full days pass since Thursday’s match. There are players who recovered better and others not so well. We needed energy and fresh legs on the pitch. When you look at the result, you can make a lot of evaluations. I make mine. From what I saw, in the first half the team were fearful, waiting for things to happen, and Cadiz scored from a set piece that we had worked on defending. We didn't close the danger off well despite working on it. All this made it an uphill struggle.

In the second half we wanted to modify things, and right after the restart they scored the second goal that put us on the ropes. We tried to react and we made it 2-1, but the team weren't successful in the final third when trying to equalise. We had several clear chances, but that’s football. If you don't score when you have chances, and with little opportunities the opponents score, it is very difficult to win. We must correct these details quickly, because when we have done that we have been competitive. There are things I can't find an explanation for. I don't understand the difference in the rhythm and desire in the first half and the second. We have to keep working and focus on the next game.”

Evaluating the game

"In the first half, the difference in the scoreline is what affected everything, and the mistake we made with the goal. We started well, and we had several combinations that were able to break down Cádiz. Then we fell into a tendency of defending corners, crosses, throw-ins. In that situation, what happened can happen. We needed to let loose and go forward with danger. When it was 0-0, we had a chance for Lino. The end of the first half and the beginning of the second weighed us down for the rest of the game. It’s down to us. If we don’t do things right, then we can’t compete against anybody. You can’t allow these things to happen, especially in our situation. It is a difficult path but if we are at the level required, things can change.”

Players carrying injuries

"There were players who came off playing two games in three days. Players with discomfort. I make decisions and I accept that there are people who think that I didn't get my lineup right. I need not to lose players along the way and I don't want to put players at risk. There are still many important games left and today we had important players who could have suffered an injury.

Despite the changes at the start, the team always kept up their energy , but we didn’t understand that you can’t give your opponents chances in these games. That’s what has led to us being in this situation. We chose to be in this situation today due to the first half and the start of the second, above all, and I try to understand it, but it isn’t the message that I want the players to have.”

How are the team mentally?

"I have always been very honest. At no time have I said that we were safe, that is easy or that we could get out of here from one day to the next. If you don't take points, you can drop back into the relegation zone. That's the competition. We have to be prepared for everyone and try to assume this. We have to correct things, analyse and think about Wednesday now. It is a very important game, for which we have to try to think about what makes us competitive. We have many regrets but they will not make us better in the next game. We continue with our chances intact and depending on ourselves."

Why Hugo Guillamón stayed in Valencia

"We have to take decisions constantly, and that’s it. Hugo played from the start the other day, he didn’t travel today, and that’s it.”