Valencia vs Mallorca preview - Manzano gets Tissone backing

Posted Sunday, February 17, 2013 by PA

Real Mallorca midfielder Fernando Tissone feels new coach Gregorio Manzano has already shown signs he can save the club from relegation, ahead of the testing trip to Valencia.

Mallorca, who have been a top-flight fixture since 1997, sit 19th in the Primera Division table, four points from safety.

Manzano took charge of the club for the third time earlier this month following the sacking of Joaquin Caparros, and his first match at the helm ended in a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Osasuna last weekend.

The visit to the Mestalla is likely to prove a far more testing assignment, particularly with Los Che hurting after their midweek Champions League loss against Paris St Germain.

But Argentinian Tissone, on loan from Sampdoria, has been impressed by the impact Manzano has made.

He told a press conference: "The coach has been working hard every day since he arrived and we are starting to understand his footballing ideas and how it affects each game we play.

"Every day we are improving, little by little, and everything is starting to come together.

"We now have to prepare for a tough match at Mestalla but we are eager for the challenge and we will try to pick up points.

"I am very happy that we now have every chance to get out of this situation.

"We really want to turn things around and that will make it easier to overcome the situation."

Tissone knows just how difficult it will be to get a result against Valencia, but Mallorca's plight means they cannot afford to be intimidated by their opponents' strengths.

"No matter whether your team is in good or bad form, you always have to go out and try and win," he said.

"Obviously, when you play at places like the Nou Camp it is different from playing in other grounds, but you have to know how to get results in every game.

"We know Valencia are a great team. I'm not going to discover anything new on Sunday, they are a team with great history and we know what we will find."

Valencia have earned 16 points from their last seven matches to climb up to fifth in the league, two points behind fourth-placed Malaga, but they suffered a setback on Tuesday after losing 2-1 at home to PSG in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

However, coach Ernesto Valverde should welcome back talismanic captain Roberto Soldado for the visit of Mallorca, along with French defender Aly Cissokho, after both missed the midweek game through injury.

Midfielder Ever Banega will be absent after picking up a knock against PSG.