Season on the line for Valencia

Valencia forward Juan Mata believes the next two months could make or break his side’s fortunes in three different competitions.

Valencia are currently fourth in La Liga and take on fifth-placed Espanyol, a team who they lead only on goal difference, on Sunday in their first fixture of the New Year.

They are also preparing for a Copa del Rey fourth round match against Villarreal later this month and a two-leg Champions League tie against German side Schalke, and Mata believes their entire season is at stake.

“It’s a very important month. January and February could mark our route in all three competitions,” Mata said.

“There are important league games and knock-out Champions League games. We are ready to make sure that things go well, and that at the end of the season we can reach our targets.”

Sunday’s match against Espanyol will be crucial to their hopes of Champions League qualification for next season, with both club’s in the hunt for a top four finish.

“They are opponents who are doing well. They have a manager who is doing a great job, players up front who are making the difference in games,” Mata said.

“If they continue like this, then they will be fighting for the same objectives as us. We have to try to start a good run in Mestalla and get three points from every game.”

Goalkeeper Vicente Guaita said it was important that Valencia took it one match at a time over this busy period.

“I think that first we have to think about this (Espanyol) game,” Guaita said. “We have Espanyol on Sunday and then the cup game -which is also important.”

“We should focus on Espanyol, and then next week look at the cup. Any other way would be a mistake.”

Sat 1 January, 2011