Baraja: "The team have to make it a fortress and feel powerful there, and it's the key to getting out of this situation”

Rubén Baraja gave a press conference ahead of Valencia CF's LaLiga Matchday 25 game against CA Osasuna and outlined what he thinks will be the keys to winning the contest.

The injury list 

"Gayà's recovery has gone well, Nico is in the final phase of his. He has trained with the group for practically the whole week. Tomorrow we will assess him. Cavani is in his process, he is in the final stretch of it, and already there is the idea that next week he can participate with the group and we'll have him available for the next game." 

Refereeing 

"There are certain things that we have to assess in this type of situation. I said that the penalty appeal against Barcelona is an action that could be interpreted by the VAR -in the sense of notifying the referee or not. It is an action in which there is contact and it might be a penalty. From there, the game is over and we can't go over this continuously.  I understand that people have anger or frustration because of other moments in the season as well. We can't waste energy now over saying whether or not it was a penalty. There are certain things that should not lead us to confuse our priorities, and we can no longer do anything else about it. Corona spoke and it's part of the game. Protesting more or making two thousand statements isn't going to get us out of the situation we're in." 

The players' opinions on refereeing 

"We are focused on what we have done. When the game is over and we talk a bit, we have to extract the positives and think about the next game. We are in a situation where we could have been given another chance in the game, and once that doesn't happen, we have to focus on the next one. We don't have time to look for excuses or regrets. The players are exactly the same as me." 

The importance of the game 

"It's very important. We are playing at home, and since around September, we haven't won two games in a row at home. Mestalla has to be our lifeline. The team have to make it a fortress and feel powerful there, and it's the key to getting out of this situation. One of the fundamental things at this time is to have a lot of responsibility, but also to look at things calmly. No haste, no drama, no frustration, because that leads you to make bad decisions." 

Staying up 

"I look at the glass as being half-full. I am convinced and I think that you can see that the team are improving things. We are in a tough time, against high-level teams... we are hosting Osasuna, one of the best away sides, and then we have to go to the Metropolitano. Tomorrow's game is important. We have improved in several aspects and details. We have to look for that through hard work, day after day. We hope to keep improving to be competitive." 

Pending issues 

"We have negative statistics that we have to change. From what I see in the week from the team, and what I feel from the players, I am optimistic. Improvement comes through results so that all that work reflects what we are looking for. It's simple. We can't get anxious, we have to stay calm and know what path we're going to take to get out of this situation. This isn't magic; generally, when you're in this situation you need a long time to get out of there." 

 How to combine attack and defence 

"It is an obvious thing, although I believe that we have generated scoring chances. It is part of success, of moments, of hard work. The players have to believe they are capable of converting chances into goals and we have worked hard on the last thirty meters. We want the team to be calm, to decide better, reach the penalty area and generate opportunities." 

Kluivert 

"I don't want to focus on individuals, but if you're seeing something, it's that we don't have any problem bringing in players who can contribute. I want them all to be motivated and group unity is important. He played against Getafe from the start, then he was ready to come on but he couldn't due to the circumstances, and in Barcelona, he played at the end. He's motivated up and that's what I'm looking for." 

The first game against Osasuna 

"Osasuna are great opponents in every way. They are an intense, fast team. They have been working with the same coach for a long time and that is an advantage. They are having a great campaign. We are not discovering Osasuna now. We must match or better their intensity because they are going to be great opponents." 

Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate 

"What he has achieved with Osasuna is a good playing style and structures. They never back down in the game. They are very consistent and very intense. They have youth, fitness, speed and decisive players up front." 

Osasuna's aerial play 

"That's one of their characteristics. It is something that I already reviewed against Getafe; the change in terms of what we have seen in the following games has been remarkable. Against Getafe, they finished off three or four chances and we lost the three points. Details have a lot of influence and can win matches and points -and also lose them. When you're looking for improvement, any detail helps you." 

Fran Perez 

"He is a player who has been working with the first team and he is enjoying minutes. That suggests that he is a player for the future, with good qualities... We must try to grow, even in times of difficulty. The club wants to have enough time to try to assess his development, and I try to take advantage of that and have him contribute to the team." 

Jesús Vázquez 

"Everyone has to be prepared. We trust in his work and I think he is a player who has a bright future. We want those minutes to help him improve, grow and understand the game. There are things that young players must learn by playing. Things come with matches and continuity. Jesús is understanding things well. It's what I need: To look at the bench and see that whoever comes in gives me the same energy as the player who has come off."