Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja spoke to the media following the 1-1 draw with FC Barcelona at Mestalla, on Matchday 17 of the LaLiga season.

A hard fought point

It is a good point because we worked for it in the game and we have took the match to what we were looking for; the players believed in the gameplan.

We were very good in the first 20-25 minutes and could have even scored a goal, but then the intensity that Barcelona demand of you makes the game a long one. We managed things well and the team competed phenomenally -and the response from the guys was fantastic.

The point has a lot of value because of how it was earned. At Mestalla with our fans, they push and are rewarded with a point that must valued, against a great team. We had to suffer at times, but I trust in the players and today they have proven me right. When I get angry with them I tell them that too. You have to be happy with the effort and what the match needed: a lot of intensity and rhythm and trying to make Barça feel uncomfortable.

A quick reaction

Barça had a good game and had many chances. Giorgi's performance was superb and kept us in the game, but what we did best was equalise very quickly after it was 0-1 and not allow Barça to lead 0-2. That kept the game alive. They had many chances because they create them, but our goalkeeper also had a say.

Positive aspects

There are many positive things. The great atmosphere at Mestalla, the way the fans got behind the team, how they pushed us, the intensity in the game -the physical data is incredible. We sustained ourselves with continuity in our effort and in the game. Players that we brought in, such as Guillamón, Jesús, Yaremckuk, were people who also need minutes and prominence. The changes worked well, the point itself was good. There are many positive things.

What I liked most is the bond that I felt between our fans and the team. The team give everything they have and our fans thank them for that. That has a lot of value.

Guillamon

It was good not only because of the goal, which was a great goal, but because he completed a very interesting match in that position. His ball management, without losing possession, with a lot of continuity in the defensive work, in the duels... and then the great goal was the icing on the cake. It makes me happy that he didn't give up, continued training and took advantage of the opportunity when he got it. It is important for the team and the competition that the players who are not participating have an opportunity that they can make the most of. Today everyone gave their all and that is good for the team.

Mestalla against the big sides 

The motivation is different and higher. Also, what they demand of you forces you to give 150%. It doesn't mean that that isn't done in other games. It is important that we played without complexes, were uninhibited and intense and consistent. They understood the message we sent with the lineup, playing with two strikers. And in the final part, with less energy, we tried to use a line of 5 so that, if Barça arrived, we could defend the point and it was another experience. At Mestalla the team, beyond the results, are at a high level. We also have to understand that it is not only at home, but away that we have to maintain that mentality.

Five at the back

In the last few games we had managed the last few minutes poorly, losing points that we had worked for many minutes to get, and we wanted to give value to how difficult it is to score against Barcelona.

In several games we had worked with the option of five at the back, and we tried to interpret that today. If it had gone wrong you would have asked me why we did it. But in football you have to make decisions. In the first half we were brave and at the end we had to protect ourselves a little more.

The last game at Mestalla in 2023

It's hard to pick a best moment. I would say all the moments before the games. The atmosphere when we arrive, because our fans know, feel and understand that the team need them. Last year there were many difficulties and this year we may have them too, and they understand that, they support us and push us and that pre-match atmosphere is what stays with us. It helps us a lot and infects us. We are making Mestalla powerful and are strong and compete here. And it is thanks to our fans.

Away games

You have to adjust things and keep working. You have to give importance to every detail that can define the game and Tuesday will be the same, because Rayo are strong at home. They are on a streak without a win and it will be a complex match for many reasons against a great opponent. We work so that what we have seen today we can do away from home, because winning away from home is what brings you closer to the goal faster.

Diakhaby

When you get injured it is difficult to get back into things. The players have been patient and waited for their moment and put together a complete game, and it was not easy because Barça ran between the lines, they had great forwards in front of them. Diakhaby has been very complete on and both he and Cristhian Mosquera have been at a high level, the two fullbacks too, and that is what gives us defensive solvency.

The changes

It is important that the players on the bench contribute. I give an XI before the game, because I like to keep it in suspense until the end, but I always say that the changes are very important because they are what can give you that energy that you need. It is not always easy to get into the rhythm of the game, as today for example happened to Alberto -who has not competed for a long time-, but we need everyone to enter with the energy that the game needed and today we had it with Amallah, Canós, Yarek, Foulquier and Alberto, with that pressure in the first metres. It helped us to score a point and let everyone know that they are important.

The goal from outside the area

It is an action in which Hugo has quality, and he has that precision to put it into the corner. We work on those situations where the midfielders are aware of those balls coming down, but the action for the goal is his credit, as he puts it into the top corner. It is a great goal and it is credit to Hugo Guillamón