Rubén Baraja talked to the media before Valencia CF's latest Copa del Rey game, which sees the team travel south to take on FC Cartagena on Sunday.

Giving importance to the Copa del Rey
"The thinking that I have as a coach -and what the club thinks- is that we are giving importance to the Copa del Rey. We want to try to go as far as possible and it is the fastest way to compete for a trophy. The next step is Cartagena. It will be a tough match. The Copa del Rey is special. I expect a difficult, hard-fought match."

"In the end, the way the season goes gives you information about the performance of the players. When they have the opportunity, they get the possibility of becoming more important to the team. I have to choose a side each week, but when the players have had the opportunity to demonstrate who is doing well, they have managed to get up to speed with the dynamic. This is good because it raises the level of the group and gives us more possibilities. Sometimes matches are decided by the players who come off the bench and can change the game. It is important to have options."

Almeida
"In principle, he is the only player we have out due to injury, as well as Amallah and Diakhaby. The rest are available today for the Copa del Rey match. We have to be patient. He is training on the pitch. We don't know at what point he may have discomfort, so we hope that his progress is good. We need to get him back because he is an important player for us. Pepelu is ok. At another time we decided that he was playing a lot of games, but he feels good and has no problems. He will be in the squad."

Bringing back players
"I try to make sure they never lose the feeling that they can come in at any moment. During a season players have their moments and you always have to try to stick close to them, especially on the days they don't play. It's always to their own credit; you can support them but they are the ones who have to fight in that situation. There are the cases of Sergi, Guillamón who has started two or three games, Roman who we have already seen do well. The credit belongs to them. I just try to keep them from switching off."

Possible arrivals
"We have talked a little about the squad, about the possibilities that the team have. The analysis goes as far as that, but nothing specific has been communicated to me. We have not talked about this issue. What is evident is that if someone is dissatisfied and wants to leave, I am willing to talk to them and explain their situation. I am happy with the work they are doing. If anyone wants to leave or is dissatisfied, that will have to be evaluated. At the moment I have no news in this regard."

The objective after the first half of the season
There are many games left and we have to face them as we have been doing, without setting ourselves any objective beyond the next game. This Copa del Rey match must be given importance to give continuity to the recent results in the league, and because our history obliges us to go through in the Copa del Rey. It's something you should know at this club."

Calming down euphoria
"I understand that when you are in a good position in terms of the expectations set, everyone can get excited. That's the beauty of football. We have to keep cool and be aware that our goal is nothing more than the next game. Let's see if in the second half of the season, we manage to maintain this stability in terms of points and performance, and let's see what we can achieve. Setting different targets halfway through the season is like talking about hypotheses. The only one I like is that we have a Copa del Rey match and then Cádiz... Anything that involves precipitating events with respect to objectives honestly does not occupy my time or will. I just want the team to be as stable in the first half of the season."

Fans traveling to Cartagena
"We must be grateful that they want to go watch the game in Cartagena and we hope to bring them joy and -above all- that they see that the team give everything they have"

Practicing penalties
We have practiced them. Always on the last day when there is the Copa del Rey we have a penalty shootout. Really, tomorrow those things will come out, that good vibe that exists within the team and Jaume will surely remind the players of this. Tomorrow will be the last day before the game and we will do that work. We must prepare it so that when it comes to deciding who takes penalties, you know who may be able to convert theirs."

Hugo González and David Otorbi
"It is one of the situations that has options on the table. It will be evaluated. I can't tell you what will happen because there are several parts involved. It is yet to be decided. We are working with David, he is a kid who is training with us and we are working to help him acquire the concepts. If his time comes, we hope he can perform at the level we expect from him."

Setting priorities
Neither LaLiga nor the Copa del Rey takes priority. We will try to field the most competitive team and we will go for the result in each match. For me, the Copa del Rey is an important competition and I think that for the club itself, because of our history, we have to give our all to get through the tie. We must always do so, respecting how difficult it is. Going far in the Copa del Rey is difficult. You always have to maintain that motivation."

Bringing in reinforcements to challenge for Europe
"We can't know what the result would be for something that has not happened. That is why I say that talking about hypotheses or doing the maths isn't the best plan. I think it is better to go day-by-day and the competition itself will put you where you deserve to be. These are situations that are not down to me. I try to get the most out of the players I have at my disposal. I am happy with the work I am putting in and the effort they are making."

The key to exceeding expectations
The team are competing well. We are an intense, aggressive team that attack well. This, together with the fact that we have fans behind us who are supporting us in times of difficulty, allows the team to grow. You have the team, the fans and then results that reinforce all this. The team have achieved results based on hard work and effort. That strength that we have and that sporting stability is sure to make our players play at the level they are doing."