Baraja: “It’s going to be a tough match against Osasuna”   

Valencia CF coach, Rubén Baraja, spoke in a press conference before his side’s LaLiga game against CA Osasuna at Mestalla.

Absentees

“We have to assess things now with the doctor and see how the players are doing. There are players who, with the efforts of the match last Saturday, we have to see how they are now. We have a meeting now to see how they are doing. In general, everyone will have recovered well and will be able to play. Hugo Duro is back today and able to train with the group, and he feels good.”

Rafa Mir

“This morning he had a checkup for his small injury, and the feeling is that he is doing quite well and we are going to assess what situation we are in. He has barely trained with the group and I always like to have that process beforehand to get back to action in good condition, but now we will assess him. In terms of his morale, he looks well, is calm and is focused on being available to the team and being able to compete. He will have his own thoughts, but the feeling I have is that he is eager to be back with the group, participate and contribute to the season.

Rafa Mir

“This morning he had a checkup for his small injury, and the feeling is that he is doing quite well and we are going to assess what situation we are in. He has barely trained with the group and I always like to have that process beforehand to get back to action in good condition, but now we will assess him. In terms of his morale, he looks well, is calm and is focused on being available to the team and being able to compete. He will have his own thoughts, but the feeling I have is that he is eager to be back with the group, participate and contribute to the season.

Luis Rioja

“We often talk about players who can come in to help the team and get into the dynamics of the group. We talk about, in addition, providing immediate performance and the experience that Luis has. He is a player who needs to play, to get minutes, feel important, and this will give him continuity in what we are looking for. We think he is a great addition and we hope that the season proves us right.”

The start of the LALIGA season

“The start of the season is still in the same situation. We are still at the bottom and we have to try to get points. We have an important match for us tomorrow, at home, at Mestalla, in front of our fans. The more people come out, the better, because we feel their presence a lot and they are a boost for the team. Hopefully, we can repeat the same patterns from Saturday. That game was a mirror in which to look at ourselves, but each game is different. We hope to be up to par and have a good game.”

Yarek

“He is another player in the squad. To start off with he was playing. Now he is not playing and he has to wait for his chance. He will have his chance, and when he does, he has to play at the level that we all expect from him. These things have to help us realise how important it is to try to do things well when you play, and contribute you aren’t, being prepared to help the team. Without a doubt, he will do that, and he will definitely participate.”

Rotations

“When the calendar is so tight, we always value the option of rotations. We will make changes to refresh the team. We believe that there are players who are not participating, but that when they do they can also provide their qualities or characteristics to help the team. I have no doubt that there are players who are not in the side for the moment, but can be later and can give us things.”

Victories

“When the start of the season is not good and you have a dynamic like ours, changing it is the most difficult thing. We are working on tomorrow's game and if we get that second victory, logically it would be a boost in terms of confidence, to get out of that situation of being at the bottom of the table, but we have to look for that tomorrow in the game. We will try to pick up points and get the victory, knowing that the important thing is finding out how to do it. We have to do many things well to win.”

Javi Guerra

“He is a player who has amazing qualities and he has to try to carry them over to his performance. The other day he had a good game. Even so, we have to demand more from him, because he can give more and he needs to always try to think about improving. This is the competitive mentality that I try to pass on to the players.”

S.C. Tenés

“Sergi has made good progress after his injury. Every time he has participated, he has contributed things. He has a good attitude and I see that desire in him to be able to come in and participate. He is one of the players who has to give us things, no matter where he plays. He has skill, he can shoot, he can provide assists and if he is physically fit, he can contribute for us.