Celades: "We're playing at home and we are optimistic about the situation"

Albert Celades is expecting a typically tough game at Mestalla against Atletico Madrid on Friday, and he looked ahead to the contest in his pre-match press conference.

Previewing the game

"It's a very difficult fixture, against one of the biggest teams in LaLiga. They are a magnificent side. They are similar to how they've been in recent years, conceding few goals, very solid and who punish the slightest mistake. Their squad is full of great players, with a great coach. They are one of the biggest sides in LaLiga, and what playing in a game like this means is that it will be hard and tough. However, we're playing at home, where we have a good dynamic so far this season, and we are also optimistic about the situation."

"These games are important. We're up against opponents who are very close to us on points. It's exciting to be able to beat them and then there's the Champions League, where the margin for error is much smaller. Now we are only thinking about tomorrow's game, about doing the best we can and moving on to the next challenge with the best feeling possible."

The help of the fans

"We hope, as always, that the fans help us. It's something they've always done at home, and I think that because of this help we are on the run that we have going, being unbeaten at Mestalla in LaLiga. We've always said the same thing: The help that our fans provide is very important, we feel strong at home and we are sure that this is partly down to this boost that we have, pulling in the same direction."

Recovering from the Getafe defeat

"We're coming into this game off a bad game against Getafe. I don't think it's a case of having to change the dynamic, because we haven't reached that situation. I think that we had a bad game, but the cup game was good in terms of our attack. It's true that we conceded too many goals, and we all know how it ended. But two weeks ago we beat Celta at home and moved into the Champions League spots. It's all very evenly matched, with a lot of teams fighting for those positions. We have the intention of having a good game and of achieving victory at home in front of our fans, and of continuing to progress. This is the objective that we have."

Similarities between the two teams

"I think that we are two teams who have had a lot of difficulties over the entire season so far, in terms of injuries. We've been adapting and trying to get the best performance out of what we have. Tomorrow the situation will be the same. We've had to live with this situation and try to get the best from what we have, adapting to the situation. We're working on it."

The possibility of signing a centre back

"We're working on it. It isn't easy, because the market is how it is, and there's a very small pool. It isn't easy to find someone in this situation, for what we want, but we're still searching and having conversations to try to bring in a player for that position."