Gattuso: “We have to play with desire and without fear”

Gennaro Gattuso gave a pre-match press conference ahead of Valencia CF’s game against Atletico Madrid on LaLiga Matchday 3.

What is the injury situation like? Will Cenk and André Almeida be able to play?

Jesus has had a small injury. I think that tomorrow he will not be available for the match. Gabriel has had discomfort since the match against Girona and tomorrow we will decide if he plays or not. Cenk and André Almeida have only trained for 2-3 days. Yesterday we worked very little in the session. If we have the possibility or the need, they will have minutes.

Everyone is watching the transfer market. What is the last thing you heard regarding Edinson Cavani?

I am optimistic by nature. We are talking. I think we have a chance of signing him. I want to thank Peter Lim and Layhoon. If we have a chance it's because Peter Lim is working hard. If we sign Cavani, it is because Peter Lim believes a lot in this possibility.

Valencia CF are making every effort to sign Cavani. Why is it taking so long for the player to decide? Is there a Plan B?

We don't have a Plan B. We have 3 strikers in our team. When you talk about Cavani, you talk about him. He is not a normal player. He has scored many goals in his career and has played for some great teams. He is 35 years old but he has an incredible mentality. When I talk to the players I don't talk about money, but about tactical matters. They are different things. We have been working in the last few weeks, but I hope that it will end in a positive way for us. If not, I know that we have done everything possible.

If Cavani comes, would there be any player who has to leave?

Right now, I have a lot of respect for the players I'm working with. We have prepared tomorrow's match with Marcos André and Maxi Gómez as part of the squad. The market is still open and anything can happen. I haven't told either of them that they have to leave.

The statistics against Atletico Madrid are not good. Is not conceding goals the key?

For me this is not a motivation. It's easy to say that we haven't won since 2015, but we have to prepare the match with a certain mentality. It's a tough game, against a team with an incredible mentality, similar to that of their coach. We have to play with the same desire, without fear, with courage, with a crowd who are going to push hard in our favour. The players already know that Valencia CF have not beaten Atletico Madrid for a long time.

Are you aware of the excitement generated by the signing of Cavani? What can he bring to the team?

If we sign Cavani, I'll answer that. I know that people are excited because we are talking about a champion. I’m also excited, because of how he plays, because of his mentality and because of everything we have seen him do in his career.

How do you see Atletico Madrid this season?

I am only concerned about Valencia CF. Atletico Madrid are a very difficult team to play against. They can suffer for 15 minutes and not break a sweat because they have an incredible mentality. Simeone has totally changed the club. When he arrived, Atletico Madrid were very bad, and he changed everything. He has great merit because he has led a team with many problems to become one of the best in the world. He’s an example to follow. I would very much like to achieve the same results.

Valencia CF have one of the youngest squads in LaLiga. Is it necessary to bring in a player with more experience?

Age is not important to me. For me, the important thing is that the players are not afraid, and that they know how to play football. If you train hard, mentality can be changed game by game.

Would you be willing to wait for Cavani until the market closes?

No. On Tuesday we have to take a good look at whether to continue or if we should find another solution. The market closes on Thursday and we have to have a good talk with Layhoon and Miguel about all this.

Are you aware of whether Bryan Gil could come in?

Bryan is not our player. We have closed our part of the deal, but we are waiting on Tottenham. They have told us that it is 99% there, but that they have to wait to confirm other players.

How are you experiencing the start of LaLiga, with the market open?

I wonder why three games have to be played with the market still open. I don’t think it is right. If a player is injured in the Premier League, they can sign any player from another league with the money they have. I think the market should be closed when the league season starts. It is not fair on small clubs. If this changes, then all the better.

Would you like to be the Simeone of Valencia CF?

Yes. I know it's very difficult because you have to win games and work hard. I'm not afraid of work because I really like working here, because of the relationship I have with everyone. This is my home. I have a character that if I don’t feel good, it's difficult for me to work well. Working here is like the life of a dog: It's seven years. But I like it, it's my home and I'm doing well. It seems like I’ve been here for many years. I would like to do that. The coach's problem is that we have the games. If we only had training sessions, it would be spectacular.