Marcelino: "Thinking Rayo will be an easier game would be a serious mistake"

Coming into Valencia CF's third game in six days, coach Marcelino spoke to the media on Friday

Difficulties in focusing the team
"There might be that difficulty. We need to be intelligent and know that, at this point in the season, we can't afford to make any mistake in terms of having the right mentality ambition to win and respect for our opponents. The two extraordinary games that we've had, against two big sides with two extraordinary results, might lead us to the mistake of thinking that a Rayo side in a more difficult situation will make for an easier game. That would be a serious mistake for us, and this week we could end up with 9 points -we don't want to end up with just 6. We have to be very humble, completely respectful of the opposition and, through effort, intensity and being the team that we were against Madrid, put everything into practice to beat Rayo Vallecano."

Potential rotations
"We're set to make some changes. We've had to make a big effort twice this week, so we'll look at the players who have participated and make decisions. I think that, with 3 games in 6 days, we have to make changes."

Coquelin and Piccini
"Piccini has progressed well this week. We were even weighing up using him against Real Madrid. However, today he had some niggles and we hope he is available for the next game. Coquelin is doing well, and if everything goes to plan then he will be available for the game against Villarreal."

Lifting of Parejo's suspension
"The plan for the game will be the same with him in the squad, but he offers us something very important and is in extraordinary form. It's great news, because without Coquelin, missing Parejo as well would have meant playing Soler or Wass -who usually feature in different positions- and adapt them to a role they haven't played recently. Parejo being in gives us normalcy, and is very good news."

The fight for the Champions League
"The fight for both the Champions League and Europa League places is very tight. There are up to seven sides in there, and the difference in points can mean that in just one week everything can change. It's very even and the results are tight. We don't know what might happen. We have to focus on ourselves and on being just as competitive as we have been in these two games. That way, we will be closer to fourth place."

Seven players one card away from suspension
"What we have to try to avoid is two players in the same position getting yellow cards the same day, limiting selection possibilities for the next game. We aren't going to make squad selection decisions based on how many yellow cards everybody has."