Capello press conference: "Raúl can play in Guti's place. They all have different characteristics and will be asked to do different jobs"
Fabio Capello has a large enough squad, but he has decided to appoint the team's captain as playmaker in place of injured and suspended Guti. Capello said Mestalla is always a hard venue to play in, despite the "bad moment Valencia are going through." The coach has faith in his team and is happy with their work so far this season.
Everyone's talking about Valencia's injured players.
Every match is different, depending where you play it in. Mestalla is a tough ground and Valencia haven't lost at home in a long time. They have very supportive fans, but we are convinced of winning, although we know it will be hard.
What do you think of Silva's pardon?
Let him play if he's been allowed to. I don't like meddling in these matters.
All your injured starters have recovered.
Helguera is still having some problems. We'll see how he feels tomorrow morning. The rest are ready to play.
Even though Valencia have many injured players, they are still a strong rival.
This is a very tough league and we have to fight for every game and keep focused. All I know is that my team is in good form.
Your relationship with Quique Sánchez Flores isn't precisely a good one.
It's the same it's always been. One thinks differently as a player, but when you become a coach you understand more things. We have a better relationship as coaches.
Who will play Guti's role?
Raúl can play in Guti's place. They all have different characteristics and will be asked to do different jobs.
If Helguera doesn't recover, will Ramos play as centre back?
Maybe, but there are other options. If Sergio goes in the centre, then Míchel Salgado will play on the right, but if I keep Ramos on the right, then someone else will go in the middle.
Has Van Nistelrooy practised some penalty shots today, just in case?
We practice these every day before the match. Those who take them in a match practised the day before. He or someone else could take the penalties. What's important is that, whoever it is that's going to shoot, he is confident of netting the ball. It doesn't matter that he missed against Olympique Lyonnais. It didn't matter if we drew or won the match.
Will you line up your defense depending on if Villa plays?
I don't have Villa in mind when I configure my defense.
Do you think Sánchez Flores will risk playing him?
I never risk a player. I talk to the doctor, and if he tells me the player still feels something, no matter how small that is, I don't line him up.
Cañizares is another of those players you got rid of during your previous season at Real Madrid.
I'm friends with Cañizares. At that time, we had Buyo and we signed Illgner, but Cañizares has had a great career and has proved to be important for Valencia.
Do you think Valencia aren't fit?
These are hard times for them, but we can't be too confident.
People despise Real Madrid more and more in Valencia.
I don't like people being against Real Madrid. I've always said that Spain is a very sporting country in which people take a match for what it is: simply a match. But, things are changing and I don't like that.
Ronaldo hasn't made the call-up list, but he's been working well.
Ronaldo has been training with the team for three days; he's recovering very well, and if he carries on like this, he'll be ready for next weekend. He has lost some weight, which is good for his knee. I'm very happy with his work. After talking to him we decided it was better for him to stay.
At the start of the season, did you expect to be in the table position you are in at this stage?
If we look at the table, we can see we have the same points as Barcelona, therefore, we must be doing things right. We are still in every competition and keep improving with every match.
Report by Cristina Monge
Photography by David R. Anchuelo
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 9:50 PM
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