Source: Team_Talk
Final fever grips Joaquin and co
Valencia midfielder Joaquin has warned Rangers the Spaniards will treat their Champions League clash at the Mestalla like a cup final.[LNB] With Manchester United expected to top Group C and Bursaspor rooted to the bottom without a single point, it looks like being a straight fight between Valencia and Rangers for second place and a spot in the last 16.[LNB]The teams battled out a 1-1 draw at Ibrox in their last European outing a couple of weeks ago, in a match the Scots were disappointed not to win, and Joaquin is not surprised by how well Walter Smith's men have done so far.[LNB]"Rangers have always been a threat in this competition and still are," he said.[LNB]"There are many points still to play for and Valencia have to depend on themselves. So we are going to take tomorrow's game as a final as it's a very important game.[LNB]"This is a very open competition so to get the three points tomorrow is very important for us."[LNB]He explained: "It is the Rangers team itself which is the big danger for us, rather than any individual player.[LNB]"In the first game a couple of weeks ago in Glasgow it was very difficult and I expect it to be a similar game here tomorrow night.[LNB]"There is no particular player to be afraid of, it's the whole team. It's the way they can defend and the way they can break forward.[LNB]"We expect the game to be quite physical and strong and aggressive."[LNB]Valencia drew with Real Zaragoza at the weekend, while Rangers lost their 100 per cent record in the SPL after being held by Inverness.[LNB]Joaquin said: "That isn't going to have any significance on Tuesday night's game, this is a very different competition.[LNB]"Valencia also only drew at the weekend and we hope to win the game so Rangers will be no different.[LNB]"The Champions League is very different from the league competition and we will have to be at our best to get the victory."[LNB]Like Joaquin, Valencia coach Unai Emery refused to write Rangers off when the draw was made and refuses to talk down their chances now.[LNB]"I am not surprised by the challenge Rangers have mounted in the Champions League because I have seen them before and they are a great team and they are playing really well," Emery said.[LNB]"The whole team is a threat with their compact squad and we know that winning this game is very important.[LNB]"Maybe they will adopt a similar approach to the game two weeks ago but this will be a different game.[LNB]"Rangers have a very compact squad and in Scotland they play with a 4-4-2 formation, although in the Champions League in the last few games they have been playing a 5-4-1.[LNB]"They are very strong in defence but we expect this game to be different."[LNB]Asked if Rangers blew their best chance of a win over the Spaniards at Ibrox, Emery replied: "Maybe."[LNB]But Emery admitted his own side had to improve after recent results.[LNB]He said: "We need to defend better and attack better than we have been and we need to find the best way for us.[LNB]"We are playing at home in front of our own supporters and that is very important. We need them to be behind us and we need them to show patience. We will get there little by little."
