Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja spoke ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against CP Parla Escuela at 9 pm kick-off time (CET) at the Estadio Las Américas.

 the Match

“We prepare games very seriously and with respect for our opponents. These types of matches have to serve to give players who have been playing less time more minutes, and continuity in terms of competing. They need to take advantage of the opportunity and get us through the tie.”

Absences

“Thierry's situation has been unfortunate because he is a player who was playing a lot and is an important player. Losing him weakens us. The team have to be able to solve the problem with other players who can give us things in this position.”

Rubén Iranzo

“He is undoubtedly an alternative because he has been working with us for a long time in that position. He will be in our plans until a decision is made. It will be assessed in the coming days based on what the club decide.”

CP Parla Escuela

"It is a match that does not bother us as such. It is a competition and Valencia CF must always face that with enthusiasm, with the desire to do things well. It will help us to give minutes to the players who are not having so much continuity. This is always important. We have to face it with seriousness, and rigour and get through the tie. We know little about the opposition, but for them, it will be the most important match of their lives and nowadays you have to do things well to beat anybody. The artificial playing surface is not an excuse. Most of the players have played on this type of surface when they were young."

A possible signing with Thierry out injured

“It will be studied whether it is more interesting to reinforce the team in that position now or later in the winter transfer market. It is something that is being considered. We have to look for alternatives: either those we have or the possibility of signing a player.”

Confidence in his position

“I feel absolutely calm. The club have given me their confidence and transmitted calmness. As we always say, in football the most important thing is actions and I am standing here with the confidence, conviction, commitment and energy to turn the situation around. Above all, I assume the greatest responsibility because I am the one who heads the team and the group. If things do not work out, I am the first person to be responsible and I am standing here to endure or bear the pressure that comes with being in the situation we are in. This is football and through work and commitment, the team can change the situation.”

The fans

“I absolutely understand that our fans are angry, but I feel respected and valued by them. Obviously, I have children and I get angry with them, but I support them and encourage them. I think that is what the Valencia CF fans are going to do. That is the perception I have and they are going to support us. I feel strong and convinced that we can change the situation.”

Insults at the Bernabéu towards FC Barcelona players

“I already spoke about this situation at the time. We accepted the punishment we received and did everything we had to do to denounce the situation. What happens at other grounds has nothing to do with me. For me, the sanction we received was unfair, but sometimes these things happen. The fans were not treated as they deserved in that situation.”

Saturday’s match against Real Madrid CF

“These are very competitive, difficult matches, but our objective is the Copa del Rey tomorrow and we will talk about Real Madrid CF when that game comes. We see a chance to get a good result against them.”

Potential reinforcements in January

“That has not been considered yet.”

Ballon d'Or

“I am very happy for Rodri. He is a player who has everything to be a Ballon d'Or winner. His career development has led him to be at an incredible level. Being a Ballon d'Or winner in that position is difficult, but he has shown that his career has been one of constant improvement. He is a master at what he does. I am happy that a Spanish man and a Spanish woman have won the Ballon d'Or. It speaks very well of Spanish football, of the quality and of the important players that we have.”

Vinícius

“The Valencia CF fans will come out to cheer on their team, as they always do, and Vinícius will come to play for Real Madrid CF and will try to do his best.”