Valencia CF24 January 2020

Celades: "I hope that we continue this unbeaten run at home"

The VCF coach talked about the game against Barça in his pre-match press conference

Following training on Friday, Valencia CF coach Albert Celades previewed the game against FC Barcelona at Mestalla (Saturday 4pm CET).

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Expectations for the game
"We're expecting a very difficult game against very good opposition who have changed coach very recently. Regardless of this, they are at the top of the table, with players that we all know. In the end, we have to try to minimise the things that we see as most important about them -amongst the many things that they do well- and maximise the things that we do well in order to get a positive result."

Valencia CF's home form
"I hope that we continue this unbeaten run at home. It's been many years since we last beat FC Barcelona in LaLiga, and it's another challenge. I think that we need to try to keep up this good run of results at Mestalla from the first half of the season, with the important help of the fans who are sure to provide a good atmosphere there. We hope to get a good final result."

FC Barcelona's change of coach
"It's very difficult when you play against such a good side like FC Barcelona, with the great players that they have, their technical skill and the precision of their players. That always gives you a lot of difficulty. That's why they are top of the table and why they have won many trophies in recent years. It's because they have a great team and players. If they only had one or two virtues, it would be much easier to minimise them. But when you play a side who have so many resources, everything is more difficult."

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Rodrigo Moreno
"He's ready to play and to help us. He feels good and we will decide based on that."

Parejo's suspension
"This will be our first game without him and we need to adapt to it with the alternatives that we have. Everybody knows that he is a very important absence and we will try to adapt. Parejo is a unique player and we are lucky to have him, but everybody knows how important he is. He's always played, he's essential for us and we will try to adapt to this new situation."

Cillessen's injury
"The other day he felt a problem in the warmup against UD Logroñés and he couldn't play. He's still got some discomfort; today he completed part of the training session on the pitch, but he isn't available to play."

The Copa del Rey draw to face CyD Leonesa
"I can't say much about it. I didn't see their game last night, but if they have beaten a team as big and as good as Atletico Madrid, then it's because they are a good team. Everything is much tougher in this edition of the Copa del Rey, so we need to prepare very well for this game."

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