Nuno Espirito Santo attended a press conference on day prior to VCF’s trip to Vallecas, previewing the Copa del Rey game against Rayo Vallecano. The manager revealed that he will make several changes to his established La Liga first eleven, but expects his side to offer the same level of performance.

“The cup allows you to rotate players and have a look at those who have had fewer minutes in the league,” he said. “We are going to field a strong team, appropriate for this first game in the Copa del Rey. What (Rayo manager) Paco Jémez is going to do does not affect my decisions –we will field the team that we believe is best for us.”

“This is an important competition for us. We value it highly and we approach it in the same way, whatever the draw,” he continued. “We have ambition in this competition, firstly for the game tomorrow. Rayo are a good team, difficult to play and we have two games in which to overcome them.”

Saying that his team are fully prepared for the demands of two games in one week, Nuno spoke about Valencia CF’s recent form:

"We are aware of what we have done in the last two games; we aren’t proud of the results, but we are proud of our hard work –especially against Barcelona. This gives us the strength to face the rest of the games until the winter break.”

Talking straight, the Portuguese said that there was no place for Joao Pereira in the side, but that Bruno Zuculini was likely to get an opportunity.

“My decision on Joao remains the same. It is a tactical decision. Joao isn’t travelling to this game and he won’t go to any other. We have two better right backs in Barragán and Cancelo, so the door is open for him to leave in the winter. Zuculini’s situation is different, and I am sure that he will have his opportunity.”

Finally, Nuno hailed the arrival of Peter Lim at the club, saying that “a new era has begun, in which we will be stronger.”