Ruben Baraja: “Playing at Mestalla should make us feel comfortable and strong enough to score points”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja  spoke to the media after the Matchday 2 win against Las Palmas.

First victory at Mestalla
Winning today was important to us for many reasons. We came off a good game and the second match is not easy in terms of continuity, effort and intensity. But playing at Mestalla should make us feel comfortable and have the strength to score points. We achieved it through organisation, intensity, effort and commitment. Today we achieved it, but we need solutions and for there to be variants. It is necessary to strengthen the team despite the two results we have achieved. The season is long and there are injuries and suspensions. We need options on the attacking end.

Great demand in the game
Today it was very hot and very humid. Las Palmas are a team that wear you down. The physical effort required was brutal. These players are very committed and I can only congratulate them for how they believe and how hard they work. Winning in LaLiga is very difficult and today they have done it again.

Generating chances
We had the better chances. We had two or three quite clear chances in the first half, and also in the second. This also speaks well for the team in terms of generating chances. We have not been accurate in front of goal, but the important thing is to generate chances in matches.

An important win
I think it's very meritworthy. Winning is very difficult, and you have to do many things well during the game. Today we were consistent, we combined well in the spaces and it is a credit to the players. What we would like is to finish this transfer market with improvements and with the possibility that the team can be reinforced, to have more arguments.

Penalties
We usually take penalties and Pepelu is one of the ones who takes them, along with André Almeida and Guillamón. They train them and we watch and decide. Other times it is a matter of trust. He was clear about it and he converted.

Aims for the season
This is an end of the transfer market matter. Starting off right helps everyone. Seeing the stadium today with 40,000 people, with how hot it was and how they pushed us, was great  The match was not easy and that atmosphere could be generated. I think we were able to press up to steal the ball and become strong in the middle block. It was a hard fought game. Seeing the crowd happy and seeing the players at the end of the game was a beautiful moment. There are 38 games and we cannot assess things now. We don't know what our limit will be. We are ambitious. When these remaining 10-12 days pass, we will have to make the assessments and set the objectives that we consider appropriate.

Possible reinforcements
We will also look at the FPF we have. Everyone is aware. We transmit it almost daily to the club and the president. I hope it happens. Us having had good results is positive. Momentum always helps, but this doesn't mean we should get it wrong when it comes to planning a full season. We need those players who give us variants and the club know it. I couldn't say a number, but we need players on the wing and players up top. The club are aware of this and they are working. I hope and trust that the situation occurs. I think it is necessary.

A moment to enjoy
Today is a day we have to enjoy. It's very good to win two games in a row. Starting well is always positive and I would like to enjoy this too. We have days ahead in the transfer market.

Javi Guerra
I have to use the resources I have. We brought on Javi when we thought the game could break up and his introduction has been positive. We thought that he was going to give us the option to go forward, to find good situations to reach the goal. We know that he is a player with talent and quality. I hope that his season is continuous and consistent. When he comes off the bench he has to give everything like he did the other day and like he did today. That will lead him to be a starter.

The best and worst of the team
What I like the most is that the team are organised, brave, hold up well under pressure, steal the ball high... but we are missing a bit of finishing. The team are good defensively and they don't concede many chances. We are defending well and we have kept a clean sheet. We are doing many things well and that is why we managed to win. To improve, we need to take more advantage of the chances, but we have taken a victory to enjoy.

Guillamon
We were going to put Hugo in the middle to reinforce a bit, but Paulista had problems and in the end we looked for what the game needed with speed going forward. We had the chance to score the second goal. The team were able to play with the time and with the result. It was a different game to Sevilla, another test, and next Sunday we will have another opponent.

Guillamón
We were going to put Hugo in the middle to reinforce a bit, but Paulista had problems and in the end we looked for what the game needed with speed going forward. We had the chance to score the second goal. The team were able to play with the time and with the result. It was a different game to Sevilla, another test, and next Sunday we will have another opponent.

Intensity
They ended up tired, like everyone else. The effort was brutal and, fortunately, it served to achieve victory.

Subbing off Javi Guerra
We continually talk to the players. I think Javi can play in two positions. He entered the game very well. I also have to save things to go forward in the game. We are sacrificing Javi a bit, but we need to have spare parts. He contributed today and he also did in Seville. The idea is for him to consolidate himself this season and we have to help him to improve. He has talent and quality, and he has to keep working to be able to start.

Las Palmas 
Las Palmas draw you on and force you to press forward, they put balls inside and then play outside. They wear you down. But we had the best chances and I think we managed the game well. Las Palmas are an uncomfortable opponent. We have to know how to play against these types of opponents.

Working in the transfer market
We are working so that, with the limit we have, players come in to reinforce the team. I hope and trust that this will happen. There is time ahead and we hope that players will arrive. We all deserve the opportunity to strengthen the team for the difficult season we have.

Andre Almeida
André has had little vacations when playing the European Championship. We had to put him in from the start and he still does not have the rhythm of the competition. He has some qualities that I like. He will grow physically and I'm sure his season will be positive. 

Hugo Guillamón
Hugo had the opportunity to come on. He has also had little vacation time. He is training well and working well. I'm sure he'll have his chances