Rubén Baraja: “Winning a game changes everything” | OneFootball

How are André Almeida and Fran Pérez doing?

They have improved from their injuries and we believe that they can be back soon. Fran will return and André too, the problems have subsided, and it is always important to get players back. It is positive.

Are you worried about the team dynamic?It is clear that the results are what they are. We have to look ahead. My approach is to take it game by game; that is my way of seeing football. The next opportunity is at Mestalla against Girona FC, a magnificent team with many resources who will make it difficult for us. We have to have a positive mindset, we have to be able to show on the pitch that we want to change the results.

How was the team meal and what were the reasons for it?

It is a long week. There have been midweek matches, an international break, and now we were all there. It is a way of building the group, introducing the new players, getting them acclimatised… Nothing more. It was great.

There are those who have interpreted the phrase “it’s not our league” as an excuse after losing to Atletico Madrid. What is your explanation?

It’s simple: I try to be honest, sincere and it’s a reflection on what I saw in the game. If we’re not doing well and Atleti took advantage of our mistakes, we’re far from being able to compete with them. From there, the interpretations are respectable and I have to accept it as what it is. The word ‘excuse’ doesn’t exist in my vocabulary. They were better, more solid and it’s a reflection on the game, but it shouldn’t affect us in the match against Girona FC.

Do you think Mestalla is the solution?

Without a doubt, we have to exploit that strength and we need to pick up points. Our league position is not good, so we have to use Mestalla for many reasons. We’ve seen the best version of this team at Mestalla, the players always give their best with the fans behind them. The fans know that this is a difficult time, they will support us, they will push us and we have to show that we want to change the situation with attitude, energy and being recognisable in the match.

Could Enzo Barrenechea play his first match as a starter?He is working well, his acclimatisation is going quickly and he could participate. That is an option, but it has not yet been decided.

What do you think of a possible players' strike due to the excessive number of matches?It is a global problem in football due to the number of matches there are and the wear and tear that the players are subjected to. A general analysis should be made and the players' opinions are important, because they are the protagonists of the competitions. These are things that will have to be assessed, to see if injuries are caused by the accumulation of matches, but without a doubt, the players must be listened to.

You said last year that there were players who had to step up. Is that message valid again in this situation?Not just the squad, everyone. We haven't started well and we have to demand more from ourselves -myself first of all, plus the squad- and try to meet the expectations we have as a team. We have to step up, show our character and be competitive. The next match is tomorrow.Do you trust in the squad to turn the situation around?I feel good, with energy and desire. I am focused on changing the situation. It all comes down to focusing on how to do it. It is very easy to say that we have to win, but I have to focus on how we do that.

Firstly, out of necessity and secondly because winning a match changes everything; with a win, the feeling is different, and we have to focus on that. The word ‘win’ is very easy to say, but we have to focus on getting on the path to doing it. We will have to do a series of things well, be consistent, and I hope that tomorrow we can show that we want to change the course of the season.

No, it started five games ago, we can't forget that. But that's in the past and we have to focus on tomorrow's game.

How do you see the team tactically?

Our thinking is that we will work with a 4-4-2, sometimes with a second striker in the hole, or with two forwards depending on the type of game or opponents. In terms of the concept or model that we work on, the team know what we have to do and try to execute it. Sometimes the results don't come, but in the long term when you have a clear concept, they have to end up coming. That's what we think. We've barely been able to play with two forwards yet, as we don't have many alternatives, but in football sometimes this happens and you have to modify things to remain competitive.How do you approach the game?Girona FC have resources and we have to try to counteract their offensive potential and hurt them when we have the ball. That's the idea.What has happened so that the things that worked last season are not working now?

Sometimes things don't work out. If you have the same model and the same workrate, sometimes things don't work out. I want to focus on the game and the match, and that's what I'm concentrating on.

Pessimism and negativity don't help me and they only have to make me stronger, I have to bring out my character, my determination and know that to get points tomorrow we have to have a good game.Can Valencia CF take advantage of the fatigue of your opponents?

You never know. We're going to try to play our game, we know that we have to be in top form in terms of attitude and intensity, as they're going to demand a lot from us.

Can the games against Girona FC and CA Osasuna be considered ‘finals’?

First we have Girona FC, then CA Osasuna. I'm only thinking about Girona right now. We want to do things well and win. It will be positive if we manage to do that, but talking about finals on Matchday 5 seems a bit dramatic to me. It's your thing. I'm concentrating on doing things well tomorrow and I'm facing it with confidence.Rafa Mir's situation

He's suffering from some discomfort now and when he gets better he'll be back with the group. We hope that next week he’ll be eased back into the fold.