Valencia coach Albert Celades refused to deny he was in a difficult situation ahead of tonight's Champions League clash with Chelsea.

There is anger inside the locker room over Marcelino's sacking and Celades' appointment.

Celades admitted the players deliberately swerved his media conference yesterday: "It is not the ideal situation but it is what it is.

"I'm not afraid, of course. I am here to do a job and I will make the decisions I deem appropriate. I'll make the decisions until I leave here.

“Of course there is dialogue. Everyday. You talk with the players. The predisposition I have found in them is good.

"Today they are better than Wednesday. We have to get ahead and the best way is to focus on reality. The rest does not help us at all."