

Nuno Espírito Santo has been preparing for his biggest game to date as Valencia CF manager, this weekend against Atletico Madrid. He spoke to the press on Friday afternoon to give his thoughts ahead of the match. The main talking points of the week were all covered by the Portuguese manager, who called upon the fans to spur the team on.

"Mestalla will be firmly our territory from start to finish," he told journalists in the press room. "Mestalla will help us to defeat our opponents, and the fans support us unconditionally."



Talk in the run-up to the game has included suggestions that Atletico Madrid are a team who push to the limits of legality, but Nuno trusts in the ability of referees to ensure a fair contest.

"The laws are the laws. The referee is the highest authority on the pitch and have to live up to that. I hope that in every game they call the fouls that should be called, are clear about their decisions and judements and that the game is more than just about one team's style. I don't think that the referees should adjust to the style of play of a particular team -they should adjust to the laws of the game."



"Referees go out onto the pitch to do the best that they can. He is there to ensure that laws are complied with."



Nuno sees Atletico as favourites for this Saturday's game, for a simple reason: "They are the current champions, reached the European Cup final last season, are a great club with a great manager, beat Juventus and have 80m euros worth of players on the bench. Atletico Madrid are a top team," he explained.

However, Valencia will be going all-out for the victory. "The dynamics of victory work. I don't think that it will be completely vital to the game, but we will be able to make use of our intensity. We have to play our own game and be clear about how we are going to play. We have prepared well for the game."