First Half at the Estadio Nuevos Los Cármenes
In the quiet Andalusian morning hours, Valencia's team bus wound its way through the streets of Granada, its sleek black exterior gleaming under the winter sun.
Inside, the players sat in focused silence, each immersed in their pre-match rituals. Some scrolled through playlists, earbuds in, while others exchanged murmured words of encouragement.
For head coach Rubén Baraja, this game was a must-win. Despite Valencia's respectable position in La Liga, every point mattered.
He knew that it was nigh impossible to win the league despite their 2nd place ranking. Therefore all he was trying to do was to secure European qualification at the very least.
The team arrived at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes to the jeers of Granada fans already congregating outside. Their chants, amplified by drums and megaphones, created a cacophony of noise meant to unnerve the visitors.