In Santander, with the Cantabrian coast as the setting for Valencia’s next away test, Javier Aguirre brought humour as well as selection news to his pre-match briefing. The Mexican coach is preparing for his first match against Racing de Santander in LaLiga’s eighth round, at the Campos de Sport de El Sardinero.
Preparations for the trip to Racing
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Aguirre spoke positively about the group available to him at Valencia, insisting that quality matters more than nationality or age. He pointed to Guerra and Jesús, while also praising the club’s production line after seeing a display dedicated to academy players who have reached international football.
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The coach then turned a question about his likely shape into a joke, asking how reporters had discovered whether he intended to use a back four or back five. He said he might have to lock everything down more tightly.
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Behind the laughter, Aguirre explained that formations cannot be treated as fixed labels. In his view, a team can look different within minutes, making tactical systems resemble “telephone numbers” rather than permanent structures.
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Valencia have worked with a player positioned between the centre-backs during training, but Aguirre said the staff are still testing options to identify what suits the side best.
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The matchday squad was due to be announced later, although it had not yet been finalised because Aguirre still needed medical updates on three or four players. Rioja has been ruled out of the Racing trip, while Danjuma will be available.
Aguirre’s intended Valencia identity
The former Mexico manager made clear that he wants the side to carry the traits associated with his previous teams: energy, commitment and a refusal to ease off. He said his players would run and compete hard, adding that an Aguirre team should never appear passive or lacking effort.
That message comes as Valencia begin a new stage under a coach whose manner has already made an impression in the city. Aguirre said he does not use social media, but feels warmth whenever supporters recognise him in public. He described the fanbase as eager and happy, and said he can move around calmly without feeling the need to hide.
For Valencia, the journey north to Santander will now offer the first competitive measure of those early ideas: tactical flexibility on the pitch, a squad still being assessed by the medical staff, and a coach determined to give the team a combative character.
