Quique de Lucas has admitted that Valencia are a force to be reckoned with, but that his visiting Celta Vigo ‘can compete with anybody’.
Celta arrive at Mestalla this Saturday evening a point and two places above Los Che, but after only three rounds of action, 34-year-old midfielder De Lucas has warned that such statistics can be misleading.
“They need to pick up points and will have not a level of anxiety, but some urgency. To win there, it will be very important the level of intensity with which we play,” the former Chelsea man reflected to today’s media gathering.
“In Valencia we must judge them in perspective, though, because to me they have made a good start to the season. Regarding the results, they do not have the points that others do, but they have played two very good games against Barcelona and Real Madrid.”
Even in acknowledging the weekend hosts’ strengths, De Lucas was keen to suggest that Celta could pull off a surprise.
“I really think we have a chance to win in Valencia. It is besides the point whether or not we are as strong as them. We will be facing a very difficult opponent, but in a single game we can compete with anybody.
“Away from home we have to provide the same work-rate that we have done so at Balaidos. We should be trying to remove the pressure of the environment we are in and instead pressure the opponent.
“Valencia are a tough team, they have had some recent good campaigns, but they also know that the past is not worth anything.”
