Baraja: “Mestalla is fundamental to get out of this situation”

Rubén Baraja returns to Mestalla on Saturday night for his first home game in charge of Valencia CF, and before the meeting with Real Sociedad he addressed the media in a pre-match press conference.

What kind of game are you expecting?

"We will be up against a great side. Real Sociedad have been working with the same idea and coach for some time. This season they have a fantastic level of consistency in terms of their results. But I'm focused on us, on our improvement and I want us to have a game in which, by competing well, we are close to being able to win. There is a lot of work to be done, we must take care of the details, be attentive, read the game... But there is another part that must match us. We are playing at home. Mestalla is fundamental for getting out of the situation that we are in. From the very beginning, we said that it would not be easy, nor would it be a process of two or three games. This is a process and we need the drive of Mestalla, that encouragement that can make us be much more competitive. I expect a lot from my team tomorrow.

Including homegrown players in the squad

They are helping because we have certain players out, and they are working with enthusiasm and hunger because they could make their debut at any moment. We work so that anyone who is with us on a day-to-day basis is prepared for the day they can make their debut.

The players out injured: Lino, Correia, Castillejo

The injury report was discussed after the Getafe game and really at this moment the ones we have the most problems with are Gayà and Marcos André -plus Nico and Cavani. We are waiting on the others. We'll wait until tomorrow to see their progress, before deciding."

His return to Mestalla

Honestly, I haven't had time to imagine it. I've had a lot of work this week. I've had a couple of weeks with a lot of things on: My arrival, the first game, insisting on what we want... Logically I'm looking forward to the game with great enthusiasm. I'm very excited and convinced that we can do things well to win the game. This is the hope I have for tomorrow's game.

What can you do as a coach to get out of the situation?

I'm not going to spend every press conference talking about things that don't contribute to my work. I'm not going to waste energy on that. I want the team to improve to get results as soon as possible. I want to look for every detail that brings me closer to winning. If we win, it will give us the chance to grow as a team. We have to work hard and do things well. Neither in the Athletic game nor against Getafe were we so far from winning. That encourages me, and with improvement we can grow.

Is the message to the fans: 'We need you or we're going down'?

No. You don't have to dramatise it so much. We are in a difficult situation, but there are games ahead. People know what the priority is and what the team need. People know that beyond the protests -which must be respected -that when the game starts we need them to be behind us. We need the support of Mestalla and the fans know it. When the game is over, let the people demonstrate how they want. I don't need to say it, the fans know it. We need them. There will be good and bad moments, but in each move, with your fans behind you the players feel better. That's why I always say that I wish I could show the players what it means to feel the support of Mestalla. When the game is over, everyone can express themselves however they want, but during the 90 minutes the priority is to support the team. As a Valencia CF fan, that's what I think.

How is your current relationship with David Silva?

We haven't spoken. I knew he was suffering from an injury and won't play. I don't usually talk to people I'm going to face. They will be missing an important player, with a lot of quality. He gives them a boost in quality. I'm sure that whoever plays in his place will have other characteristics with similar qualities. Real Sociedad have many variants. We must play a complete match to get the three points.

Are you considering a change in formation?

We are evaluating it. I've only had one match so far. I've seen positive things, and others that can be improved. We can give a twist to what we saw in Getafe. We must find the balance between attack and defence. This will allow us to have continuity and this is what concerns me at the moment. Whether or not there is a change, we will see in time.

What is the first thing that the team should improve to change the dynamic?

"In the process of improvement you will grow, through observation, not only in training but in matches. We have to see our strengths and weaknesses. We must improve on set pieces. We must improve our numbers there, as that's what gives you security and the possibility of growing in games through defensive solidity. We need more attention, more concentration,  and with this you can grow and improve. Everything takes time, although we must improve as quickly as possible.

How is the dressing room morale?

I think that it is doing well. After the Getafe game, the dressing room was sad and hurt because they had done a job without any reward. We have to recover quickly, we must clear our heads and think about the next game. We must prepare well for the Real Sociedad game. I see the desire and commitment to work on improvement and insist on details. The situation is what it is but the players are willing to change it.

Will the team get grow against a side third in the table?

"That is what I expect. We will have to play well. Real Sociedad have a lot of quality in every way, not only in their players. They have many variations, many movements that are automatic to them, with many different structures. We will face a great team but we will have our weapons too. I hope that the more things we do well is reflected in the result and leads us to achieve our ideas. We want to be competitive to win. We need to win.

Do you see a lack of experience?

I think many things have an influence, but having your fans wanting to help you, spurring you on, is essential. I was saying about the young squad because they tend to be more open to change. I have always liked working with young players and I have almost always recruited youngsters for my teams because they are the future. I have no problem working like that, because they have desire. I think that although we have a young squad, the average age in defence is 27 years. Looking at specific situations, even though they are young, they have played many games. For me, the fact that they are young is not an excuse. Young people have energy, hunger and desire.. I have to look for that.