Valencia vs Sporting Gijon preview - Mata demands response
Posted Saturday, February 19, 2011 by PA
Valencia forward Juan Mata has urged his side to overcome the disappointment of Tuesday night's draw at home to Schalke in the last 16 of the Champions League with a win over Sporting Gijon at Mestalla in the Primera Division.
Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw by Schalke on Tuesday and need to better that result in Germany to advance to the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition.
Unai Emery's side play three times in La Liga before that, however, starting against Sporting and Mata hopes his team can continue the form which has seen them rise to third place after seven wins in the last eight matches.
"It's no use lamenting the Champions League result," he said.
"We now have three important league games and then we can think about our `final' in Germany."
Valencia beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon last weekend to move above regional rivals Villarreal into third place.
And Mata says the goal is to stay there.
"There are two teams above us (Barcelona and Real Madrid) and they are quite far ahead," he said.
"Our objective was to be third and we have achieved that - now we have to keep winning to stay in that position because Villarreal will make things difficult for us."
Mata is also wary of a Sporting side which drew with Barcelona last weekend and beat Valencia at Mestalla in their first season back in the top flight, two years ago.
"We can't underestimate Sporting," he said.
"We will have to play well to beat them because they have played some good matches at Mestalla in recent years."
Sporting lost their last away game 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao, but won three matches in a row before that to move out of the relegation zone.
And midfielder Miguel de las Cuevas says the result against Barca has given the players a real boost.
"The draw against Barcelona has strengthened the team," he said.
"Now we are up against another big club, Valencia, who are in great form at the moment."
Alberto Lora and Gregory Arnolin return from suspension but David Barral, who scored Sporting's goal against Barca, misses out through injury. Sebastian Eguren is doubtful.
Photos
More»'World Cup's sexiest fan' reveals she WILL be heading...
Saturday May 18 2024Real star Endrick banned from having VIRTUAL lover
Saturday May 18 2024Mikayla Demaiter took social media by storm once more
Friday May 17 2024
Your Say