Baraja: “The team have worked well, with clear ideas” 

Valencia CF coach, Rubén Baraja, held a press conference before Monday game against UD Las Palmas at Mestalla.

Gayà's return

“It's an important return. He's our captain, one of our best players and we're happy that we can use him. It's been a long wait with an injury that needed that timeframe for recovery, and we're hoping that he can get back to his best level and contribute things, because at this point in the season we need everyone to do well. He feels good, and his work during the week has been like everyone else. He has the chance to play, like everyone else.”

Dani Gómez

“He's in good form and he's working well. He has had several situations during the season to play: Starting and coming off the bench. His contribution has been positive and he is trying to bring things to the team. He could be an option to start, as I have not decided anything.”

The game

“We have worked well during the week. The team have worked well throughout the preparation process for this match, and I am confident that tomorrow we will be at a good physical level to face the match with guarantees.”

Statistics for crosses and shots

“The statistics depend on how one interprets them. If you interpret them as crosses into the area, in the end they are chances, and if you interpret them as us not managing to finish many, then it is negative. I leave that to you. We do our analysis and, logically, if you get into the box and you are not effective with the finish then it is much more complicated to score goals and win matches. But the important thing is also to generate chances, and that in these types of situations the team can convert them. Many times it is the difference maker and what changes games.”

Warren Madrigal

“He is working with a good dynamic. It is important that he scores goals for the reserve team and if his performances are positive, consistent -not only in one or two games, but over time-, then he will have his chances. It is something that can happen. We are a coaching staff that, when there is a chance to put a player from the VCF Academy in, we are brave and we do it.”

The new UD Las Palmas coach debuting

“When you do not know the way of working for the new UD Las Palmas coach, then you have to look to what he has done before at other teams. There is some uncertainty, we do not know how he is going to approach the game, but this makes us concentrate on ourselves, focus on what we are capable of doing, which is a lot, and try to make sure that whatever happens, we are prepared to overcome them and get the victory.”

The team's current form

“When we talk about objectives, we have always set a very clear one, which is for the team not to suffer and, whenever we can look upward, improve. The situation is what it is, the season has brought us to this moment and we have to know how to manage this situation to face it in tomorrow's game with the positive energy that the match needs, the mentality that we have to have. I am convinced that the players have this approach in mind. The scenario is what it is and we have to move forward with confidence in our players, confidence in what we are working on and overcome the opposition."

Rafa Mir

"He's doing fine. The only thing is that when you have a situation like the one he has experienced, where he was about to enter the group and then had to start over again, it can always affect you a little. He is in a good dynamic and is already doing things in training. We think that soon, in 2-3 weeks, he will be able to participate with the group and that he will be ready for the second part of the season."

The game plan

"We are clear about it. We are going to work with a very defined idea, which gives the possibility of playing with different formations, depending on the game and the moment. Having alternatives makes us more versatile and we have a clear idea for tomorrow."