Ernesto Valverde begins life in charge of Valencia with a tricky away match versus Osasuna.
Valverde stepped in to replace Mauricio Pellegrino earlier this week when the Argentine was sacked in the wake of Los Che’s 5-2 loss at home to Real Sociedad.
“When you take over a team under these circumstances it is because there is a crisis,” the former Espanyol trainer noted at his unveiling. “They are not at their best nor playing beautifully, but there is a rush to get results.”
Valverde then watched a side led by stand-in Salvador Gonzalez beat Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Saturday’s opponents are improving Osasuna, who have climbed out of the relegation zone on the back of a four game unbeaten run.
“We are a little relieved, but not relaxed,” insists defender Damia Abella. “We have to work hard to avoid falling into the same situation.”
Kick off: Saturday December 8, 9.00 (BST)
