Baraja: "We have to have a lot of respect for the Copa del Rey"

Valencia CF's Copa del Rey campaign continues away to Arosa SC on Tuesday, and coach Rúben Baraja talked to the media before the trip.

A game for the less frequently used players

It is an opportunity and a possibility to get minutes for players who need continuity. It is an obligation to get through to the next round and we have to do that with responsibility. The opposition are going to make it difficult for us. The Copa del Rey is a good source of motivation."

Defeat in Girona
“We are already thinking about the Copa del Rey. We have analysed the game against Girona and there are more positive things than negative things to take away from it. You have to learn and keep going. The Copa del Rey is important. We are a club that has to have a lot of respect for the competition due to its history, the fans and the chance for the players take advantage of it.”

Possible absentees
“Neither André nor Gayà will be ready. Diego is better, but he is in a lot of pain. He has been playing with that discomfort and the other day he took a knock. He has a very high pain threshold. He will rest tomorrow. Alberto is going to be called up, which is good news. He has been working for a long time. In the summer he had a good preseason and this injury cut his progress."

Conversations with Corona
“We have normal communication. We talk about the possibilities and the transfer market in general. There are no premises. The transfer window is still a long way off and we still have to look at some things during this month, players are coming back, they need minutes etc. Then if we can make a positive decision, then fine, but if not, we'll get to work, which is my task. There is one month left and there are still many things to see this month. I am focused on the Copa del Rey match and the LaLiga match.”

Conceding in the final minutes
“If you follow LaLiga, there are many goals in the closing minutes. For another example, look at City vs. Tottenham from yesterday. You cannot gamble on an advantage on the scoresheet. We put the league leaders on the ropes for 80 minutes. Only Real Madrid have beaten them. They have come back on 6 occasions this season. We competed well and the team stood up to them, although we have to improve those final minutes. There is a lot of self-criticism from everyone. It has to help us learn and grow.”

The calendar
“We have been living with this since the season began. It is common for there to be injuries with the hectic schedule and the intensity of the games. We have to live with this, with the 'error'... and it has to make us look for new opportunities so that when the players have their moment, they perform well. I have to try to find that balance.”

The goalkeeper
“There is a long way to go this season. The other day we used Jaume and tomorrow we will decide who plays. Rivero is a magnificent professional, he works very well on a daily basis and is here on his own merits. The possibility of not giving him that option to play hurts me and we are very happy with him.”

Arosa SC
“We have watched their last few games and found the stable traits that they have in every match. They know very well that they play on the counterattack. We have to be alert to their movements. They are going to complicate things for us, for sure. They make use of their pitch and we don't have that as an excuse. We have to adapt and compete well.”

Regulations for players registered with the second team
“We have to pay attention to all the details. When there are 'B' team players, the movements have to be coordinated. This is their chance to show that they want to be here and grow. I still think that this rule should be modified. As a coach, it limits you.”

A step forward for newer players
“This is a job that involves continuity, trust and taking advantage of the opportunities. We are a coaching staff that evaluate the form of each player. They have to have the feeling that by getting good minutes, they will have the possibility of having minutes in LaLiga. It has a lot of value and I have the chance to be shown things in this match. We hope that players who have not had consistency will re-engage. We have a lot of confidence in them.”

Jesús Vázquez
“He is one of the examples. We have been very committed to him. Gayà is in the left-back position and Jesús is good competition there. We are interested in seeing him compete again. His future lies in having minutes and being important. Tomorrow is an opportunity to get a feel for things."

Sergi Canós
“He is eager to contribute and to play. He is contributing things and is in the process of improving and growing in what he needs to do. He was coming off almost 3 months without a preseason, then away to Atleti he was at a good level, but the injury came. He is willing. He is going to be a starter and we hope for the best version of the players who are not participating as much."

Refereeing in Spain
“Controversy is generated by the refereeing or the VAR decisions, but that has always been the case. The referees always try to do their best, but there are times when they make mistakes, just like us. We make more mistakes than they do. I don't think that Spanish refereeing is in question. They are at a good level, but controversies always generate interest.”