Baraja: “We have a great opportunity and we have to take advantage of it”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja talked to the media in the run-up to his side’s match against RCD Espanyol, in which they can seal top flight survival at Mestalla.

The rejection of the appeal for Mestalla to be fully opened

We have expressed our feeling that the sanction is unfair. The fact that that stand is not going to have fans in it is a handicap but we have to overcome it. I'm sure that the rest of the stadium will respond and make up for those who cannot be there. That will make us push against the difficulty that not having them there provides. They encourage us a lot and push us a lot, and we hope that the fans are up to the standard the game requires.

Being affected by the loss to Mallorca

Everyone is fine. The most important thing was our recovery, because we didn't have much time between games. We have one or two days fewer between games than our rivals but we have to overcome that and we are calm. It's all in the head. The team are in good condition physically and those who play will be up to the task.

Expected formations

Espanyol at times use a line of five or four at the back. We respect our opponents but we have to focus on ourselves. We have to have a very good game in terms of continuity, effort, mentality and mental strength to manage the many emotions surrounding the game. We need to be at our best, playing at home. This has to lead us to play a good game, win it and earn survival.

Psychological work ahead of the game

We're trying to reinforce the mentality and send out a positive message. This is our final. We are playing in the best possible scenario, that at some point in the season everybody would have taken. We are going to go out there to win the game, to see if we can strike first -which generates more confidence. This is our approach. By winning, we leave behind a very tough season and we are going to face it with that mentality, confidence and determination.

A game for goals

Espanyol are a team that score goals and concede them. They good football with decisive players who take the ball and pass forward. They are going to give us trouble. We have to enhance our strengths.

The team has been consistent at Mestalla and the support of the fans is essential. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to finish off the season at home with a victory that keeps us up.

The handicaps for the team

For me it is not a handicap. It is the ideal scenario. I have the entire squad available, at a time in which we are suffering a lot. It is important to be aware of where you come from.

There have been moments of great difficulty when the team have not had things go our way, we've been down in the relegation zone and we've suffered to get this far. That has to help us in our heads. It's all in the head. We have to face tomorrow's game with a great mentality, convinced that we are capable of winning.

We are going to be able to overcome these difficulties as we have been doing. I only hope that the result comes and that we can celebrate at the end.

The mood in the camp

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and transmitting that enthusiasm to the players. My intention is always to get them switched on with energy and intensity, so that the team don't get affected by adversity and have the capacity to react. We have a great opportunity and we have to take advantage of it.

The TAS rulings for Valencia CF and RCD Espanyol

I will not go into those stories. My energy is being put into the game. I will transmit that energy to the players, so that they believe that it is our moment.

The club are going to appeal and if the fans are not there then we are going to miss them a lot, because that stand helps us, but the rest of the stadium has to push us on. Together we will achieve our goal.