Baraja: “Mestalla is fundamental because it is where the team are doing best”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja gave a pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s regional derby against Villarreal at Mestalla in LaLiga.

The type of game he expects and the style of Villarreal

Villarreal are a great team who are fights for Champions League qualification. Our objective is also very important. We have to do things well and have a complete game, and we need to think that it is a different scenario and opponent. What happened in Cádiz is over and done with. I expect a very good atmosphere as it is a regional derby. I expect a great match because we are in better shape at Mestalla and I hope that a good atmosphere is created.

The setting is different and so are the opponents. They are a good team, they play good football, they have good players, they are aggressive and they create chances and goals. At the same time as respecting the opponents, we have to focus on ourselves, we have to do things well and have a complete game in all facets, because they are going to demand a lot from us.

Kluivert and Fran Perez's availability

Justin's recovery is continuing in a positive way. The normal thing would be for him to be back this week for the next game, not for tomorrow's match. Fran's back is doing better.

 Attitude

When statements are made about attitude, it is seeking justification for the result. It is not that we did not have attitude, but the opposition also play and they put us in difficulty. They made us concede a goal that made it very difficult for us in the second half. We have details that are costing us dearly and it makes us go up against it later, which is something that we have to solve tomorrow.

 Villarreal's chance to be spoilers for Valencia CF

Villarreal would be close to the Champions League spot if they get the three points, and we are running the risk of continuing to climb a mountain. I don't think the game has a different background: Villarreal will want to play their game and we will want to play ours.

Things he didn't like in Cádiz

Everyone has their beliefs and their way of seeing this, I have mine. Mine are that through work and insisting on what can happen you are warned and you can try to contrast it. Even with that sometimes things don't work out. There are also things that have no explanation and you have to turn the page, the important thing is to focus on Villarreal.

The importance of Mestalla

You cannot assume any amount of points you will get in this situation, but Mestalla is essential for us. What I would like the most would be that on Matchday 38, winning wherever the game is, we achieve our objective. I have this in my head. Mestalla is fundamental because it is where the team are doing best, where we have earned the most points. This makes me optimistic for tomorrow, and the most important thing is that the fans support the team and the team give them what Mestalla wants: Energy and attitude.

The VCF Academy and talking with Angulo

We discuss all kinds of situations. The priority is the first team. Players from the VCF Academy work with us regularly and some get minutes. They have to take advantage of their opportunities with the first team and -when they can't play- with VCF Mestalla. The important thing is that the first team stay up.

Reflecting on rotations made against Cádiz

I try to make the decisions that I think are good for the team and the situation. There is a side of things that must be accepted, and I accept criticism with humility. Sometimes I get things right and sometimes I don't. It is not a question of what happened being because of rotations. The advantage you have of knowing the result when you have an opinion or say things is it always gives you another perspective. I know where I am and what it means to be here. People may like my decisions or not, but being at such a big club is very demanding, this is part of my job and I have to take criticism in my stride.

Hugo Guillamón's position

His usual position has been at centre back, but where he has given the best performance has been as a holding midfielder, with three inside, or as part of a double pivot. It is my opinion and it is as valid as anyone else's. He works hard and I have to make decisions. I am opting for other players at the moment. When other players don't play, you can also ask me why. It's not a big deal. Hugo has to keep working and look for his opportunity, I don't have any problem with him. It is a sporting decision. He has a good attitude when training, I have to choose and I am choosing other players.

New concepts and what is wanted from the team

What we always try to do is focus each match. Sometimes we play 4-4-2, others 4-3-3... we try to bring the game to where it is best for us to get points. When there is no time to work, you have to continue focusing on the basics and be consistent. We are trying to do things with the most absolute coherence and we try to apply everything we train on the pitch. Making inventions on the fly is something I don't believe in, and we have to give confidence and support and make the players believe. We have an important game coming up and we have to compete well. Mestalla has to help us. We are doing things well and we have to have this continuity. We are facing big teams like Villarreal and we have to compete well.

 Many crosses and little effectiveness

It is something that we have tried to apply, with the team playing on the wings and putting the ball in to look for a shot. The team generate chances, we have to look for the cross to have contact and for our forwards to score. The team create many situations and we have to transform them into goals.

Defending set pieces

It can be improved and we are working on it. We give importance to the offensive and defensive side of set pieces; that can give you points and everything is important. We try to insist on this. Cádiz has scored four times from throw-ins and other teams have this potential. It is a facet that at times we have been able to resolve. We watch games continuously and mistakes lead to goals, so that must be minimised tomorrow. One of the keys is continuity in effort and energy.

Villarreal coach Setién expecting a different type of game

Villarreal are capable of dominating the game: They have speed on the counter, they finish with quality. We have to be alerts in those situations. I hope that Valencia CF prevail in what we are looking for and that gives us victory. The players are aware that it is very important, when you come into a game off a defeat you want to play again quickly in order to win. We are playing at Mestalla and this has to help us win the game.