Gayà: “We have to be psychologically prepared against Atletico Madrid”

José Luis Gayà’s return to action after two games out through injury was positive news for the team this past week, and the club captain is hoping that consecutive victories at Mestalla can get momentum going at a crucial time of the season.

His fitness 

I'm fine. I was looking forward to returning to the team and I'm very happy with the victory and to have been able to play a full game. I did part of the training with the team and also some specific work. I will be ready for the game against Atletico Madrid.  

The mood in the dressing room 

The team are in very good spirits. You can see that we’ve been wanting to change the bad situation we have, there is enthusiasm and we know that we’re at a point in the season where all the games are vital, and we are facing them with that mentality of going game by game. Each game is a final and you can see that on the pitch. 

Growing confidence 

We’re not exactly calmer. We know the responsibility we have, but I like the way that the team look and how we are facing this situation, which is not easy at all. I liked the victory the other day because of how we handled the game; with the 1-0 scoreline and having missed the penalty, we could have gotten nervous and the team were able to close the game out. That was something we needed 

Keeping on fighting 

We have to continue fighting because we have 26 points and we know that this year we will have to earn a high amount -because all the teams at the bottom are winning. What is important is the feeling that the team are giving off, which is very good. 

The two victories at home have given us a lot of confidence, and becoming strong at Mestalla is the key. We have to face away matches with the same intensity as those at Mestalla. We are going to the Metropolitano looking to get the three points against Atletico Madrid. 

Believing in the team 

We have always attacked, and that is shown in our goal difference. We have the same goals for and against. We are not a team that fall apart; we are always in the games. We needed that victory last week to gain confidence and move forward. 

The improvement required 

When you come off a bad dynamic of results, what you have to do is understand more clearly what to do. You have to be a strong team at the back, giving you a chance from a 0-0 scoreline. We are a team that will always have a chance because we have quality players, then it is a question of whether we put the ball in the net or not. If we are strong at the back and don’t concede, are intelligent and work well from the defence forward, we will get the results. 

Mestalla 

We knew we had to bring back the Mestalla factor. When Mestalla gets behind us and we give the fans what they want, it's very difficult for our opponents. Other sides tell you that they feel the impact of Mestalla and playing as an away team is difficult. That had been lost a bit and we needed to bring it back. Now we feel very strong at home. 

Other seasons we knew we were going to win when playing at home. That unity between players and fans is essential until the end of the season. With them, we are capable of beating any team.

Defence 

In the end, when the results are not good and the situation is bad, what you have to do is minimise defensive errors and focus more on that aspect. 

We are getting better at the back, but we also have to try to be a more complete team and alternate defensive play with attacking. That is what we are doing in training. 

Visiting the Metropolitano this weekend 

It is clear that if we are not competitive there, we will struggle, but I think we are going to do well because the team are showing very good things and we are in a more positive dynamic. We are going there with the mentality of not being afraid of anyone.

We respect them because we know that we haven't won there for years. Atletico Madrid are a team that it seems can score from the slightest chance. A very tough game awaits us, where we have to be psychologically prepared.

Rubén Baraja 

I don’t have to say what Baraja has meant for Valencia CF. I grew up watching all of Baraja's games and the midfield of Albelda and Baraja was the best duo of midfielders that Valencia CF have ever had. Having him as a coach is incredible and we hope that we can do big things with him. 

He is a coach who told us things very clearly when he arrived. That message that he gave us has stuck with the dressing room and we all saw things the same as him. The whole team believe in what he tells us and that has been the key. 

Now with a little more time we have made a very rapid adaptation and we are watching many videos, we know what the team have to do at all times and that is the most important thing when you are playing. 

The intensity required 

I think we are being more consistent during the entire 90 minutes. Previously we lacked that continuity in matches and now we have been able to do it. In the end, it is very important and it is one of the keys. We have to keep doing those things. 

The fixture list 

The month of April will be the most important. That's what we all think, but as we always say, we're going to focus on the next game, which is the best way to get out of the bottom of the table. We’ll give everything in every game and not think about where we are, the league position, or the opponents  in the following games... We are going for the three points in each game and give everything possible to win.