Baraja: “The fans have been the architects of Valencia CF staying in LaLiga”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja talked to the media about the 1-1 draw with Real Betis on LaLiga Matchday 38, which enabled the team to stay in the top flight.

Valencia CF fans

The Valencia CF fans have really been the architects of Valencia CF staying in the Primera Division, because they have pushed us and have understood the moment of difficulty, they have supported us, they have helped us grow and generated confidence in us. The team has played with that affection and support that has been vital, without which it would have been very difficult. I am very happy for the fans. This is not a time for celebration because it is salvation, with the demands that Valencia CF have, but with the difficulties that we found ourselves in and the dynamics that the team had, getting Valencia CF to stay in LaLiga meant giving back to the fans the love they have shown us.

The games at Mestalla

Mestalla has been amazing. At home we have achieved twice as many points as away, and against powerful rivals like Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and other teams from the upper part of the table. It has been a very hard road and Mestalla has been fundamental. When we arrived, it was clear to us that the key was Mestalla, to be strong at Mestalla. We had to be competitive and get points, and win games, but needing to win was also clear. Mestalla has been what we have relied on, with how the fans supported the team and gave us the confidence to grow in times of difficulty.

The young players

They have pushed us on with their energy, their audacity, their fresh legs and the desire to help Valencia CF. They did that today too, with Diego's equaliser. His contribution was  transcendental. Above all, what they have given us is energy, freshness and a passion for the club.

The goal accomplished

We have put all our energy into convincing the players that we were capable of changing the dynamics and competing in every game, albeit with difficulties in every game -which happened today as well with a goal conceded very early. When we equalised, we then went down to 10 men. There was a lot of suffering but we have achieved it. I need a few days of rest before looking at anything else.

His future of the club

Valencia CF is the club that I love. I have fulfilled a dream by being at Valencia CF. We'll talk about what we have to talk about, but let me take a couple of days to relax and to absorb all the emotions we've experienced. It has been an amazing experience in every way.

His reflection

I think that certain reflections must be made with the calm and the peace of mind that we will be in the Primera Division next season. You have to analyse the causes that led to a team like Valencia CF to be fighting for survival on Matchday 38. We have to be self-critical because it has been such a bad season, and it has to serve as a lesson for us to realise that there need to be many things changed. We have to change the mentality at a club that has always had our supporters behind us, with a top mentality and demand from minute 1 to the last minute of the season, from the kitmen, the club, the doctors, the players who come in and know immediately what this club represents. Only by being self-critical to find out the causes can we improve in the future. For me the most important thing today is that this will serve us for the future

I am reflecting with the tranquillity that the team staying up gives us. I am not going to say anything else because, as I was saying, we need a couple of days of relaxation to separate ourselves from this period of time that has been very hard. We remember our family, children, brothers, partner... all the Valencianistas who have given us encouragement in this moment of difficulty. When we think about things for 2 or 3 days, then we will assess all the situations that may arise.

The changes required

I couldn't tell you how much, but it is clear that things have to be changed: The mentality, the aspirations… That does not mean that next year we will aspire to the Champions League, but we must have a path, a plan and a project that Valencia CF deserve and should have. This is an historic club and the fans deserve it.

Yunus Musah’s sending off

It was a move in which he wanted to stop the play, he wasn’t intending a red. Seeing it on VAR, it’s a tough challenge and there is no argument from us There were 10 more minutes left, plus stoppage time, and we had to suffer against a Real Betis that they were going to demand the best of us. We were able to do it to take a point that left us calm.

The atmosphere on the bench

We didn’t look at anything until in the final stages David Rangel, who had been forbidden to tell us things so that it would not influence our mood and decisions -whether negative or positive- told us the results from the other games. But we had insulated ourselves from that so it wouldn't influence us.

A final dedication

Before saying goodbye, I would like to dedicate this goal that we have achieved to all the Valencianistas who have believed in us, since Carlos Marchena and I arrived they had blind faith in our ability. And I also dedicate it to those who have not believed in us, who have doubted us and thought that we did not have the capacity to do it. Enjoy it, Valencia CF will be in the Primera División next year.