Gracia: "Hopefully this victory will help us to get a second and a third in a row"

Javi Gracia reflected on a hard fought victory over Celta Vigo in his post-match press conference on Saturday night at Mestalla.

The result

"I would like each victory we achieve, coming from a defeat or a bad game, to help us strengthen our spirits, our confidence and give us a boost to improve in the coming games. I am sure that during our work next week, the team will appreciate this result and it will boost their spirits and confidence. Hopefully this victory will help us to get a second and a third in a row. That is what we want to do. We have high hopes for the end of the season and that is achieved with strong daily work and good results in every game, rather than sporadically."

Consistency throughout the game

"The team showed motivation, and that they wanted to win the game, from the beginning. We were up against opponents whose virtues make it difficult to recover the ball near their area, and that forced us to play further back -but with the intention of playing the lines well. We were organised and we just lacked a little better final touches."

Keeping a clean sheet

"Not conceding a goal is always positive for the team. I don't I want to say that the best thing is the result, because it detracts from the good things the team did. The team worked hard, they kept the game so that we were in a position to win it in the final minutes. We played for a few minutes with a numerical superiority, and that made it easier for us to control the final minutes, but to get to that situation you have to look for it. I prefer to be positive today, take awat the many things that were done well, and look at how we have put together a run of two games without conceding at home. We know that there are things to improve, but I want to give courage and encouragement for the next games, because the team need it."

A win for the fans

"The last game was very bad. We didn't know how to transmit all the motivation that we had, but I think that the attitude of the players has always been at the maximum, even if there are days when things don't work out. This is only three points today, but it is an important victory and I hope it provides a relief for the fans."

Cillessen's return

"Cillessen hasn't been available for a long time. Whilst he had been training with the team for weeks, he needed time to face a match with the maximum assurance. We chose this option not because we are unhappy with Jaume or Cristian, but because I chose to make changes in various positions."

Kang In's performance

"Players prove themselves with their performances. Kang In has been asking for a spot for a long time, because he is training at a very high level. Competition means that not everyone can have their reward. Throughout the game, Kang In gave us the necessary work to counteract the opponents' connection between the midfield and the attack. When we needed to move the ball around, we held his position back. I think that in every position he performed at a good level. His attitude has always been to improve and ask for a place in the team."

Optimism until the end of the season

"Let's see where we are in the table. I am optimistic about the time that we have left this season. We can and must improve, and that is our mentality: To do our best to improve."