Valencia Coach Ernesto Valverde insists Saturday’s win at Osasuna won’t alter his team’s approach when the teams meet again tomorrow.
Los Che left El Sadar with a 1-0 win on Valverde’s debut and return just three nights later for the first leg of a Copa del Rey last 16 tie.
“Victory the other day reinforced us but it means nothing,” the former Espanyol trainer argued in a media briefing earlier. “We will have to run a lot to beat Osasuna and approach the game with the idea of winning.”
Valverde then gave his thoughts on opposite number Jose Luis Mendilibar, who he was complimented by earlier.
“He has lots of character and has made Osasuna very strong. They are brave, tightened up, very fast in attack. He is an honest Coach who imposes his style and does not conform to the opponent.”
The 48-year-old also touched upon the increasing difficulty of navigating your way through the Copa.
“It gives teams the possibility of winning or reaching the final. It is easier than the League, where Real Madrid and Barcelona are dominant, but in recent years they have also monopolised the cup.”
Valencia will meet Madrid or Barca in the next round but Valverde is undaunted by the prospect.
“When a player takes the field he just thinks about winning. It could be Madrid, Barca, Celta Vigo or Cordoba, but you go into each battle to win.”
Finally Valverde claimed has not encountered the ‘bad atmosphere’ said to exist within the club.
“The feeling I have is that what was said about the club was not true. The players want to move up, to achieve results.
