Valencia vs Real Valladolid

Posted Saturday, February 06, 2010 by ESPN

Valencia have called on their fans to turn the Mestalla into a fortress ahead of their La Liga game against Real Valladolid.

Valencia vs Real Valladolid Los Che are coming off the back of a 2-1 loss at Sevilla last weekend and are desperate to get back to winning ways to consolidate third place in the league standings.

Unai Emery's side are now 13 points adrift of league leaders Barcelona and look increasingly unlikely to mount a title challenge, but the club are well set for a return to the Champions League and will expect to consolidate those claims with a win at home to lowly Valladolid.

In an effort to bolster their European hopes, the club are this week launching an initiative to make the team "invincible" during the all-important season run-in.

For the game against Valladolid, the club have asked fans to create a "Champions League atmosphere" by turning up in good voice and sporting club scarfs in order to turn the stands into "a sea of orange, black and white numbering 50,000".

The success or otherwise of Valencia's initiative remains to be seen. Slightly more easy to predict is the future of veteran Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja, who looks to be on his way out of the club this summer after falling out of favour at the Mestalla.

The 34-year-old, who has been at the club for a decade and is out of contract in June, has made just one start in 20 league games, and indicated this week that his time in Valencia could be coming to an end,

"Clearly if you do not play a single game, you have no reason to renew [your contract]," he said.

The former Spain international admitted, however, that he remains optimistic he could still play a part in Emery's plans between now and the end of the season.

"There are still three months to go and in football you never know what might happen," he added.

"There are players who have the game-time and I still have not had the chance to play. I have to be optimistic and hope that my time will come.

"Obviously I would like to have more opportunities but the coach will decide."

David Navarro and Joaquin are both doubtful for tomorrow's match but Manuel Fernandes may feature after his proposed loan move to Inter Milan fell through on the final day of the transfer window.

Fourth-bottom Valladolid have been in poor form all season, a run which, coupled with a dramatic slump at the end of the last campaign, led to the departure of coach Jose Luis Mendilibar on Monday.

Onesimo Sanchez takes over this weekend with the club just a point above the relegation zone after 20 rounds of matches.

"The chairman and the director have confidence in me. From there I accepted the challenge because to coach Real Valladolid is a dream and I am convinced that I can achieve the goal of survival," said Onesimo.

"From the outset I'm just thinking about my team and a win in Valencia."

Manucho is suspended following his dismissal in last weekend's draw at home to Almeria.

Portuguese defender Henrique Sereno could make his debut after signing on transfer deadline day but Asier Del Horno, a loan arrival from Valencia, will not be able to face his parent club.