Baraja: “We have to try to be at our best against Real Valladolid CF”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja spoke to the media ahead of his side’s Friday night fixture against Real Valladolid at the Nuevo José Zorrila.

His state of mind

“After the match against Rayo I was upset. Besides the result, I didn't see such a big difference for us not to get points. It was a tough blow. But we have to get back up and improve, and we have worked on that during the week.”

The situation for the team

“It's an important test on a personal level because you have to find the mental strength within yourself for these situations. I've already had those experiences as a player. It allows me to face things with the confidence that they can be changed.”

The workload during the week

“I’m trying to send a clear and direct message to the squad, with a lot of energy. Valladolid are a direct rival and we have to try to get the best from ourselves; that's what I transmit to them to improve the situation. They have the attitude and the impetus to want to change it. It's a very important match and if we win, it will help us improve.”

A key match against Real Valladolid CF

“It's a big game against a direct rival and we have to face it like that. It will have tension and a lot of significance, and when it's over we'll analyse things. I focus on convincing the players, pushing them and leading them to do things well in the match.”

Meetings with the club 

“We have daily contact. We are not happy with the results. We have to accept that they are very bad results. It is a real part of the situation. This is a game and we aren’t getting what we think we can. This does not mean that the situation cannot change. Just like I did when I decided to stay here and renew my contract, I took a chance on Valencia CF and they took a chance on me. In these difficult times, the club are showing that they have confidence in me and that, despite the bad numbers -that I accept- they think that I am the person who can change the situation. This is what I feel about the club. I’m focused on what is down to me, and on what I can control. I do not have the feeling of there being an ultimatum from the club. I have not spoken about this issue. Logically, there is concern, and the reality is that the numbers are bad; they are indefensible. But the reality is that when you trust a person with a project and you believe that your coach is the person to take the club forward, now is when you have to demonstrate that trust -not only with words, but with actions. At the moment, the club have that trust in me and that gives me strength.”

Coaching Valencia CF

“I am the coach of Valencia CF and know what it means to be here, with the pressure you have on you. That pressure has made me better. It is a privilege to be the coach here, and if I don't get the results, then I accept certain things being said, as long as the person saying it is not disrespectful. It is something that I have to accept and I assume it. There is no one who has as much at stake as I have at Valencia CF at the moment in terms of prestige, because I am a Valencia CF fan, I feel a passion for the club and have a responsibility. I believe in my players and I think that we can change the situation. I’m positive and optimistic.”

Away games

“We are focusing on improvement, but the results are not the best. I hope that all of that experience we are accumulating will lead us to improve in the coming matches and win tomorrow.”

The formation and Foulquier's return

“It gives us solutions and having several formations is positive, it gives us alternatives. Foulquier is in the squad and can participate.”

The squad

“I see the players have the conviction that they can reverse the situation. They have the will and the spirit. You have to normalise the fact that you can lose important players during the season. My style is not to look for excuses, not to complain and to give importance to not coming here to cry, but to the possibilities that can occur now. For example, Stole Dimitrievski has been going about his work quietly and tomorrow he will have the opportunity to play. Every game is an opportunity to improve and change the situation.”

Real Valladolid CF

“It is always nice to come home. It is true that there is some uncertainty with Valladolid because we do not know if they have signed a coach yet, if one is almost there, if he is going to be in the dugout… We don’t have much of a reference for them. We can see that they are with us in those positions at the bottom of the table, and winning there would be a boost. We must not forget that we have played two games fewer. Those two games affect the standings.”