Espanyol vs Valencia preview - Tactics vital for Djukic - 7M sport

Espanyol vs Valencia preview - Tactics vital for Djukic



Posted Saturday, August 24, 2013 by PA

Valencia boss Miroslav Djukic believes winning the tactical battle will be key to overcoming Espanyol.

Last season's match in Catalonia ended in a 3-3 draw but Djukic does not expect such an open encounter, calling for "order and tactical discipline" from his side.

"The match will demand a lot of us in terms of tactics, and we'll have to pay close attention to them," Djukic told a press conference.

"We spend all week analysing the opposition and their characteristics and we'll have to put in a very good performance if we are to win there.

"I think that the levels of quality won't be decisive in the game, order and tactical discipline will."

Valencia opened the Primera Division campaign with a 1-0 win over Malaga last weekend, while Espanyol came from two goals down at Celta Vigo to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Djukic also underlined the importance of his players acting like a team on and off the pitch, in light of French defender Jeremy Mathieu telling a press conference earlier in the week that he "would not close the door to leaving".

"If we want to complete our objectives we can only do that as a team," the Serbian said.

"If we all think we are phenomenal individuals, we fill finish the season fifth."

Espanyol boss Javier Aguirre stressed his team must improve in defence, after conceding twice in Vigo, while taking their chances in front of goal too.

"We need to improve in defence in respect to how we played against Celta and we need to be more ruthless in the final third," he told reporters.

"Valencia will want to control the game, they are a strong team who have bought well in the transfer market, and it'll be a very competitive game."

Turning to his own side's transfer activities, Aguirre said he wanted to sign another striker, as well as holding on to midfielder Wakaso Mubarak, who is reported to be on the verge of moving to Rubin Kazan for 6million euros.

Arsenal are also reported to be chasing goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

"Am I a little scared about him leaving? No, I am terrified about it," he said when asked about Casilla.

"Don't joke around with me, that's not going to happen. He's a player many teams would want, and he's progressing.

"But he's an integral part of the team, he helps out the younger players in the squad, and I don't think he's going to leave."



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