Manu García: “It will be a beautiful and very even match against Valencia CF”

Next Monday, October 20 at 9:00 p.m., Valencia CF will face Deportivo Alavés at the Mendizorroza Stadium. Former player and ‘babazorro’ legend Manu García was featured on l’Informatiu by VCF Media Radio to talk about the match.

Matches between both clubs

“I have very good memories both at home and away, in a stadium like Mestalla, which is impressive.”

Deportivo Alavés

“At home, they are becoming strong. They’re able to approach matches the way they like, making the games difficult and competitive, demanding a lot from the opponent and driven by their fans. Mendizorroza puts on a lot of pressure, it helps the players take a step forward and feel valued.” 

Next match

“It’s going to be a beautiful match against Valencia CF. I expect a game similar to last season’s - very contested and even. Both teams will try to dominate; whoever manages to overcome the rival’s pressing, settle in the opposition half, create their structure and control the game through possession will have a lot in their favour. There will surely be moments and battles for each side”.

Carlos Corberán

“I give him a lot of credit for what he achieved last season - motivating the team mentally. Managing to maintain that level and changing the team’s face in terms of competitiveness had great merit. He’s a coach I’ve followed for his career - he coached some of my former teammates and has a lot of work behind him. I know how he works; they’re very capable and have the credit of what they accomplished last year. The current situation, which from the outside might seem somewhat tense, is more due to recent results than to the level of the squad and coaching staff. I expect a very strong Valencia CF, with their own strengths. I’ve heard very good things about him from Cyprus. He’s a self-made coach who’s found his path, with good results in England, and in his first experience in Spain, in a difficult situation with a team of Valencia CF’s level, he performed excellently, and I hold him in very high regard.”

Luis Rioja

“He’s one of those players who are hard to find - a natural-footed winger, capable of repeating efforts, technically gifted, and he arrived here as a reference in the Second Division. He never lacked work, and he established himself very well in the team in the First Division. Signing him was a safe bet. He’s a player who gives a lot and will continue to do so”.

Photo: Deportivo Alavés