Valencia visits Barcelona in Copa del Rey semifinals

“We were fully aware of the situation that if we signed these two players this could happen”.

But really, we all know it’s that Florentino still blames Villarreal for their Copa del Rey exit, which made a laughingstock of Madrid’s president. In the eight league matches he has taken charge of, Valencia have conceded first in all of them, while in the Copa Del Rey they fell behind against Barakaldo and Las Palmas.

Neville’s contract runs until the end of the current season and there has been suggestions that he could be fired due to their poor form in the league, but he is having none of that.

Cheryshev has been tentatively included in Neville’s squad for the trip to Catalonia, with a surreal Valencia debut still in the offing.

Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev has signed for Gary Neville’s Valencia on a six-month loan deal.

Louis van Gaal’s side are fifth in the Premier League table, five points adrift of the top four and 10 behind leaders Leicester City, but they are yet to invest on the final day of the January transfer window.

“We had lots of chances and dominated the game but what settles matches is goals…”

Cheryshev’s inclusion in the Real team for their Cup opener at Cadiz saw them thrown out the competition as he was suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards last season.

“It’s not my decision, it’s not the decision of Valencia, it’s a regulation that’s set by UEFA and we have to select one”, the 40-year-old coach said.

“I can’t wait for Wednesday night, and I think the players will be the same”, he said.

“That would not have been unfair on Sporting Gijon”.

The Barca boss is happy to be pegged as favourites for the encounter, despite praising Neville’s impact on the Mestalla side. It is something we all accept.

They have not won in 11 La Liga games in total, including under previous coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

“But the players are all well aware that they have to live up to the favourites tag on the pitch”.