Javi Gracia: “We’re ready for a demanding game against Real Madrid”

Valencia CF head coach, Javier Gracia spoke to the media on Saturday to preview this weekend’s game against Real Madrid at the Alfredo di Stefano at 4:15 pm kick-off time on Matchday 23 of LaLiga Santander.

His suspension for the game

I understand that it is down to different circumstances. I have to accept the suspension, even if it seems unfair. I don’t understand the procedure, I don’t understand what it is based on, as in the referee’s report nothing was mentioned. There are also other similar actions in other games that are not punished in the same way. I accept it and we will try to have a good game with me in another position.

Carlos Soler?

He is fine. Lately he has had some discomfort, but in the last few training sessions he has worked normally, he is available and fully fit.

Real Madrid

It is true that they have some players out, but they are Real Madrid and they have a squad full of internationals. I think that in defence they could bring back two new options for the right back position, and the most notable thing may be the absence of Ramos. The rest of the squad I think will be a typical lineup, and I don't think they're going to feel hindered by the absences.

Fighting back in the first meeting

We all have in mind the result we achieved against them last time, which came about due to a lot of hard work. Maintaining superiority or dominance for 90 minutes against Real Madrid is not easy; there will always be moments in which you have to give up some ground, but in the first half we were able to recover balls in the opposing half by applying good pressure. Real Madrid have suffered in recent games, leaving spaces in defence, and they have been hurt with quick transitions. It’s something that can happen. We are prepared for a demanding match, we are clear about how we have to perform, we want to defend well and we also want to generate more danger for the opposition; not only with balls behind the defence, as we have to use other tactics. A demanding game awaits us and we have to do our best to score and hopefully take all three points.

The week

It’s been very similar to others, with the same enthusiasm and intensity in my work, trying to prepare in the best possible way for the next game. Then I have these moments with the media, which is where I notice the difference due to the interest you have in certain subjects, because of the questions you ask me.

Absences

We have Hugo Guillamón missing, Diakhaby also out, and that opens up the options for other players who are available, such as Mangala or Ferro, or a change of formation.

A possible change of formation

When it comes to preparing a game, I evaluate a lot of things: Our business, our situation with the squad, the form my players are in, as well as the elements wwe are facing -such as the formation used by the opposition. We try to find the most balanced way of playing, that can give us the best results. We have already decided.

A lack of effectiveness in front of goal

You can look at it from different points of view. Scoring a goal in every match speaks of our ability to score, regardless of the opposition. The team are generating chances, and in the first half the other day we had chances to score from the right wing, from attacks by Maxi Gómez, another by Wass, another by Cutrone. We had chances from corners such as Thierry Correia's volley. We generated scoring chances and Athletic went ahead without shooting on goal. I don’t attribute it to a lack of attacking prowess. We are generating chances, which is what is important to me, and with the quality of the players we have, there will be games where we will score more goals. The team are improving, and the results show how even the games are.