Valencia vs Getafe preview - Contra confident of survival

Posted Sunday, March 30, 2014 by PA

Getafe coach Cosmin Contra remains optimistic about his team's hopes of avoiding relegation, despite the fact they have not won in their last 15 Primera Division matches.

The Romanian is still without a victory since he took charge of the Madrid side at the start of March, his record of one point from three matches worse than the two his predecessor Luis Garcia picked up in the last three games before he was sacked.

Getafe lost at home to Villarreal on Thursday and after the game Contra launched a tirade against his players, declaring that "anyone who is not prepared shouldn't bother getting on the team bus".

However, he is confident his team can get a result at Valencia on Sunday.

"I hope that tomorrow we finally do what we have to do," Contra told a press conference. "We have to give everything we have out on the pitch and give ourselves some room to breathe.

"I would like us to show the same attitude as we did against Athletic Bilbao (where Getafe lost 1-0), but create more chances. I expect us to make chances and I'm certain that tomorrow no-one is going to be lacking in commitment."

Contra also defended his fiery speech after the defeat to Villarreal.

He said: "You have to try and look for different ways to get a reaction from your players, and although I was a little bit harsh after the game, I wanted the message to sink in and I've seen a positive reaction from the players.

"I hope their pride is hurt and it brings out the best in them.

"The message is the same, the players have to step up. I am encouraging them and I believe in them, but they need to believe in themselves."

Valencia head into the game after dropping two points at Almeria, squandering a two-goal lead from the first half by conceding two goals in three minutes in the second.

And coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is wary of his team slipping up against another struggling side when they host Getafe.

"I've said before that I don't think my team is superior to any other in the league," he told a press conference.

"We have lost to teams below us and beaten teams above us in the table, so that makes us optimistic and allows us to believe we aren't worse than any other team either."

Juan Valera and Michel are suspended for Getafe, while Valencia midfielder Seydou Keita is out with a knee injury sustained against Almeria.