Previews
DOM 05.04.2015
Included among the Liga BBVA matchday 29 action is the mouth-watering tie taking place in Mestalla. Valencia CF and Villarreal CF face off at 5pm for one of the Spanish topflight’s Valencian derbies, a clash between two teams with aspirations of European football next season. Nuno Espíritu Santo's players, who have turned their ground into somewhat of a fortress this year, will be looking to hold onto third spot in the table against the sixth-placed Castile-La Mancha outfit.
Team news
Valencia's Portuguese boss has named an 18-man squad for this game, with José Luis Gayà among the names. There were doubts hanging over the academy player due to a niggling muscle injury, however, he has recovered in time to make up part of the list. One of the biggest absences for Los Che will be Enzo Pérez, as the Argentine is carrying an injury. The Yellows will be without the injured Bruno Soriano and Denis Cheryshev; Moi Gómez, who is suspended; as well as Víctor Ruiz.
Views from the dugouts
Nuno spoke about the preparations for this encounter: "We are very familiar with Villarreal, we've focused on ourselves ahead of this match because that's the best way to get ready". He went on to talk about Valencia’s objectives: "we are mentally prepared for tomorrow’s game, we only have one goal: to pick up three points".
His counterpart in the opposition dugout, Marcelino García Toral, revealed how his team will set up: "we will be very well organised and united". He also praised Villarreal’s upcoming opponents: "We are up against a great team, the division's best side at home. They are intense, competitive and fast, the kind of team I like".
© LALIGA - 2015