Baraja: “Mestalla is very important and I know it’s going to push us”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja spoke to the press before Saturday’s LaLiga game against Celta Vigo at Mestalla.

Marí and Diakhaby's availability

Diakhaby is in the squad because he has trained well and is ready to participate. With Alberto we will take things slower, although he feels good, because he is more delicate.

Benítez's return to Mestalla

It's normal that there be attention on it. It's special because he was here for a long time and he hasn't been here for years. He was an important part of the club's greatest era and it's normal that people talk about all that. Knowing Mestalla, they will recognise his merits, but we must be focused on tomorrow's game.

Benítez's influence on him and the differences between them

It is a very difficult analysis to make. I have always said it, and it's the way I feel: All of the players who went through that time, were very influenced by him. We also had other good coaches and you take things from them all, making your model from the combination. Each coach then has their own personal characteristics. I try to have my own style, but Rafa's influence was important and made us look at football in a different way.

Meeting with the referees

I think that it's positive, because many times we aren't able to remember that referees are people too. We were able to talk face to face. It's about empathising. Having good communication between coaches and referees  something positive that can help -or at least that's how I see it. It helps to have an answer to questions that come up during the game.

As long as there is transparency it is good. You have to see how they behave spontaneously afterwards. This is part of the show, and if someone asks for VAR conversations or whatever to be shown, that's fine. We already talked about it with Medina Cantalejo, and there is a need for more communication in a respectful manner. They are human beings and they make mistakes, just like us. Each person manages all the emotions of a game in their own way. If there were more empathy between everyone, it could help us improve the relationship and get answers, whether from one side or the other.

Mosquera's minutes

This is a question of moments and performance. Diakhaby has been out due to an injury and will have to fight for his place again with his performances. He will have to get in shape, get his feeling back and show that he can be part of the starting lineup. As you say, Mosquera is doing fine.

Minutes for young players

The only criterion followed is performance. Whoever competes and does well will have continuity, whether he is 17 or 27. If Cristhian plays and does well, he will play. There are many games in a row coming up for a long time. Except Almeida and Marí, everyone is ready and there will be opportunities. Having everybody fit is a blessing for the coach.

Looking up the table with a win

I understand that the situation invites you to do that, but it would be spending energy on something that doesn't matter to me. We have to focus on tomorrow's game. They are going to make it difficult for us. They generate chances, are very dangerous on the counterattack, and have a well-defined 4-4-2. We cannot ignore thinking about winning against Celta Vigo. Obviously, if we win, you move closer towards the goal for the season. But there will be time to think about other things or think about trying for other goals.

André Almeida

The problem is that it takes a reasonable amount of time for him to recover and then cope with the pain. We don't have a return date for him, nor do we want to put pressure on him. It is a non-specific injury in terms of the time frame, and it is a shame, because he is a decisive and different player, who plays well and gives a great final ball. When his recovery progresses well and he feels fit, he will be back.

Goals conceded at Mestalla

A victory would strengthen the team at Mestalla, especially after a painful defeat at the Bernabéu. Then we will have to see, but we have to do everything we need to do in order to be competitive and have the ambition to win. I am hoping for a great reaction from the team. Mestalla is the best place to do that.

How well Baraja and Benítez know each other

It will be the first time we face each other as coaches. Let's see if there is a good show and I hope that football is fair to whoever does things best -and I hope that side is us. This match is fundamental and Mestalla knows it.

 Yarek

He is a player with a great future. We must be careful with him and we are giving him small moments and doses of continuity. He must continue working and learning with humility, and he will grow exponentially in the coming months -both with us and with VCF Mestalla. In addition, he has that specialty of scoring goals. He has to understand that this is Valencia CF and grow through hard work and humility.

What happened at the Bernabéu

There are certain things that we cannot permit. The team had a good response after it was 1-0, but after the second goal things were not done well -nor did we have the rhythm that the game required. This should serve as a learning experience because tomorrow there is another game and we have to improve for it.

Jesús Vázquez

Jesús is working well and making clear progress. He is ready to contribute at any time.

Do Celta have fewer points than they deserve?

They have dropped points in the final minutes or made bad decisions. It's going to be a very difficult game and we will have to have a very complete game.

The transfer market

I don’t like to talk about this subject. We are constantly talking about the possibilities, and that’s that. I’m not worried about what might happen. I’m more concerned about the game tomorrow. We already talked at the end of the transfer window and said that the team had been lacking on the wings, so if that is reinforced, then it's welcome. I absolutely believe in the players I have and all of them are part of my plans -some more so than others. We can be competitive with a good mentality. We have an identity with the tools we have and if there is the possibility of strengthening, then that's welcome.

Meeting in Singapore

We talk continuously and I know that the president was going to Singapore.  I don't know if she will come to the game. We will talk, although I don't expect anything special from the situation. It's something that doesn't depend on me; I'm focused on my work and on tomorrow's game.

Yesterday we had a friendly chat, but tomorrow we will have a game between Valencia

Preparing for the game

We haven't done anything special. The only thing was that there were national team matches and players arrived later, making it difficult to get them into the dynamic. Our objective is fundamentally to be strong at home and maintain that dynamic. There are three points at stake that would help us grow.