Di Vaio hopes for morale boost
Wednesday, 16 February 2005
Marco Di Vaio says recent results have eroded Valencia CF's self-belief, but
insists that the Spanish champions can revive their season against FC Steaua
Bucuresti in Wednesday's UEFA Cup first-leg tie.

  

Marco Di Vaio during Valencia's loss against Deportivo


Winless run
Valencia have not won since 8 January and slipped to a 2-1 home defeat by RC
Deportivo La Coru?a on Saturday to drop 16 points behind Primera División
leaders FC Barcelona. David Navarro returns from domestic suspension to
replace Roberto Amarilla in defence, while captain David Albelda and
Francisco Rufete are both included despite picking up injuries against
Deportivo.

'Morale boost'
"Recent results have eaten away at our confidence but we must remain
positive," striker Di Vaio said. "We must try to get as far as we can in the
UEFA Cup, this trophy is an objective for us and a good result on Wednesday
would boost morale."

Turbulent flight
Meanwhile, Steaua's own mood was not helped by a turbulent flight from Milan
to Valencia on Monday, but some relaxed training sessions have got the
Romanian leaders into the right frame of mind for their first competitive
game of 2005.

‘Nothing to lose’
Coach Walter Zenga, who is without injured defender Tiberiu Curt and
midfielder Florentin Dumitru, said: "We have nothing to lose. And even if we
do lose, it will be against the holders, and we must not forget that there
are two legs. There is not any pressure for us - only for Valencia."

Positive tactics
As for his tactics, Zenga stated: "It is important not just to defend but to
play with personality and with joy. To play like we did in Bilbao, not as in
Parma. We cannot say Valencia are in bad shape. The Spaniards have players
who can decide a match but we must not be afraid."

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