Baraja: “Mestalla is a differentiating factor, today was spectacular”

Rubén Baraja spoke to the press following the 2-0 home victory over Granada CF

Mestalla

All Valencia CF fans must be happy and we must value the fans very much. Today they were spectacular. We had 45,000 people spurring us on and cheering throughout the game, with enthusiasm and support in moments of difficulty. That encouragement and push from the fans to the players is vital for us. Mestalla is a differentiating factor. It has led us to overcome moments of difficulty, which we have had.

Hugo Duro

He had to make a tremendous effort to play. He wanted to be here. We thought that he wouldn't make it, because this week has been difficult, but in the last two or three days, when he was beginning to be able to move his arm, he was more encouraged. He has a high pain threshold and he can endure discomfort. He wanted to be here and he was very important for us. His effort was decisive in winning the penalty.

Canós

With Canós, you have to understand where he has come from. He he came here not having had a  preseason, he started at a very good level against Atletico Madrid and then he was injured. His development depends on us being very careful for him not to have a relapse and not have strange feelings like what happened to him today. He told me that he didn't feel comfortable and was afraid of getting injured again and that's why we changed him and put a bit more energy on the opposite side, bringing in Foulquier to change flanks with Fran Pérez and continue our pressing. We have to be careful with Canós, just as with Pepelu or Mosquera, as those three changes were forced.

Confidence in the team

I think that us winning today is a great reward, because the match was very tight and difficult. Granada pressed us well. There were almost no chances and the match was decided by the penalty, but for it to be decided by an action like this you have to be very serious and not concede goals. The Granada side that always generate 3 or 4 chances, today didn't have opportunities, and that solidity led us to stay alive, have an opportunity and take advantage of the penalty to take the 3 points. We value it because of the great difficulty we saw in the match.

Managing the lead

Against Cádiz CF we had 8 or 10 bad minutes after leading 2-0 and we talked about how we had to improve and manage leads better. In Bilbao, Athletic Club equalised in the last minute, but if you watched the last matchday in LaLiga, 7 games were decided in the closing minutes. It's the trend.

Today we managed the lead well by looking for spaces, ensuring that they did not generate corners or that they gave us difficulties until the last minute. We managed it well and the changes gave us that extra energy that the game needed. We were able to manage the advantage.

The penalty

You know that I don't like to talk about referees -either negatively or positively. The referee had something to do with it because his reaction was quick. I don't know if the contact is enough or not. I understand Paco López, because when you are in a situation like this, those decisions influence your results and your day-to-day life as a team. But I can't say more because it is an interpretation by  the referee and the referee's reaction was quick. If VAR does not correct him, they must have understood that it was a penalty. I understand that it can be painful for the opposing team, and we took advantage of it to go ahead.

Competitiveness

We look for consistency, continuity and being steady at any ground and in any situation. We want that continuity that brings you closer to having good results.

Today's game was evenly matched, without great dominance by one team or the other, and in a close match if you manage to be consistent, without conceding you will always be able to have your chances. They put a lot of pressure on us when bringing the ball out and it was difficult for us to find the spaces. That is why it is very valuable to be able to adapt to the circumstances that the games require of you.

Mosquera

We must not forget that Mosquera is 19 years old. He is a kid who had not played for a long time and this summer we were clear that we had to commit to him, make him feel important, make sure he played minutes and gained confidence. In every training session his performance is stable, with mistakes like we all make, but he has a lot of desire to learn, he has humility and he has a lot of energy. Today he had two difficult players in front of him and he had a very complete game. This is what I ask of them: To have consistent performances. Today the defensive line performed at a high level.

Amallah

I think he felt a twinge in his adductor. Until we have the test results we can't say what it is. I hope it's not too serious,  because he is a player who needs to have minutes, confidence and continuity. With Paulista, I think it was a knock, and with Mamardashvili it was just discomfort from a collision. The issue of injuries is annoying, but when you play at the limit these things can happen.

The aim

We have to be clear that we are looking for improvement in every game. Our goal is to do things well in every game. Winning today was important for consistency and to take advantage of the positive momentum. What I want is for the team to grow with every game, to improve and evolve into what we want to achieve as a team. We don't set limits, but our goal is focused on every game.

We have to enjoy this moment and see how the fans at Mestalla enjoyed the win, because we got three very important points through a lot of hard work and effort. The fans have to enjoy it, but we have to keep a cool head, stay calm and think about the next game.