In last season’s meeting with Sevilla, Mouctar Diakhaby was on the scoresheet with a 92nd minute equaliser -one of the most memorable goals of his career to date. The Frenchman spoke with VCF Media ahead of Wednesday’s game against the southern Spanish side at Mestalla, and recalled the late leveller from 2018/19.

“It was my first goal for Valencia CF. I always feel very happy when I remember that moment. It came at a difficult point in the game, and the goal was very important for everyone. It came off a set piece from Dani Parejo. It was one that I headed in. It was a special moment for me,” recalls the defender, who has three goals for Valencia CF since his arrival at the club.

As for the midweek game against Sevilla on Matchday 11, Diakhaby sees it as a massive one for the team.

“Sevilla are a good side. They have some good players, but we have to win this game. It's very important for us to take the three points and we are looking forward to playing at home. We want to win this game at Mestalla against a direct rival, for the fans and for the club.

“The help of the fans is very important. They are an extra player for us. We know that it's very difficult for other clubs to win here. There are always difficult moments in a season, but we have to stand up and be counted. We have the experience of last year, when we finished the season very well. There are moments like this over the course of the season.”