Valencia will be going for three straight wins for the first time this season when they face relegation-threatened Granada on Sunday.
Just a week after the appointment of general manager Mateu Alemany seemed to bring about uncertainty at Valencia, Los Che have gone on to win their last two matches, leaving them just five points off La Liga’s top half.
“The general manager [Alemany] went into the dressing room on his first day and gave a small speech with regards to the objective we have in mind,” Coach Voro Gonzalez said at a Press conference.
“Players feel the demands. We’ve had a season with some very complicated moments.
“We have to learn to get away from these situations. The only thing we can do is perform and be professional.
“We have to set ourselves short-term goals and go game by game. That’s the scenario right now. We have to stay on this upward curve.”
Valencia could be missing as many as seven first-team players, including midweek hero Carlos Soler and defensive lynchpin Ezequiel Garay, whereas Granada’s only significant doubt is misfiring loanee Adrian Ramos.
The Andalusians are rooted to 19th place, seven points adrift of safety, having lost four of their last five, and boss Lucas Alcaraz urged his players to start showing their survival mettle.
“We have to show from the first minute that we’re playing for something, but it’s not worth saying it, you have to show it from the first whistle,” he asserted.
Granada (probable): Ochoa; Foulquier, Ingason, Saunier, Estupinan; Carcela, Uche, Wakaso, Hector; Pereira; Adrian Ramos
Injuries/suspensions: Adrian Ramos, Kone (both doubtful)
Valencia (probable): Alves; Montoya, Garay, Mangala, Siqueira; Enzo, Soler, Parejo; Munir, Mina, Orellana
Injuries/suspensions: Gaya (I) Rodrigo (I) Soler, Enzo, Garay, Mario, Nani (all doubtful)
Referee: Bikandi Garrido
Form guide: Granada (D L L L L) Valencia (W W L D L)
Previous meeting: Valencia 1-1 Granada
Kick-off time: 11:00 BST/12:00 CET
