Ernesto Valverde acknowledges Valencia’s difficult situation and the desire to win tomorrow, but believes ‘there are more important things than football’.
“First, I want to send a message of support to Tito Vilanova, both for the team that I represent and from my own personal point of view,” commented the tactician to reporters today, before turning attention to how he sees his team developing.
Los Che had won three successive games under Valverde, before last weekend’s defeat at home to Rayo Vallecano seemingly returned the team to a mini-crisis. For the Coach, however, progress has been made.
“What is clear is that Valencia had conceded many goals. We had to be closer together and in that sense I am satisfied because we are good, but we cannot sleep.
“I’m not sure if we are obliged to win, I know that there is pressure on the President right now, but not everything can depend on a penalty in the last minute.
“We all know what football is like, and currently our mood is a little down, but I hope that things remain calm. This match is very important.
“There are things that are more important than football, it can be over-magnified. We must focus now on playing. We need to defend well and attack better, but the rest does not depend on us.
“Both we and Getafe come into the game thinking that we must win no matter what. We have a greater obligation than Getafe because they have achieved some great results.”
Valverde also reflected on the Champions League Last 16 draw that pits the team against Paris Saint-Germain.
“It will be a nice game to watch, but complicated. We knew we were going to play a strong team and PSG are a team with great individual players.
“I have not yet analysed them because the game is still a while away, we play in a couple of months. They have great individuals like Pastore, Lavezzi, Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic. It will be difficult, but we have to go into the games and match up to them.”
