Di Vaio hopes for morale boost

Marco Di Vaio says recent results have eroded Valencia CF's self-belief, but insists that the Spanish champions can revive their season against FC Steaua Bucuresti in Wednesday's UEFA Cup first-leg tie.

Winless run
Valencia have not won since 8 January and slipped to a 2-1 home defeat by RC Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday to drop 16 points behind Primera División leaders FC Barcelona. David Navarro returns from domestic suspension to replace Roberto Amarilla in defence, while captain David Albelda and Francisco Rufete are both included despite picking up injuries against Deportivo.

'Morale boost'
"Recent results have eaten away at our confidence but we must remain positive," striker Di Vaio said. "We must try to get as far as we can in the UEFA Cup, this trophy is an objective for us and a good result on Wednesday would boost morale."

Turbulent flight
Meanwhile, Steaua's own mood was not helped by a turbulent flight from Milan to Valencia on Monday, but some relaxed training sessions have got the Romanian leaders into the right frame of mind for their first competitive game of 2005.

‘Nothing to lose’
Coach Walter Zenga, who is without injured defender Tiberiu Curt and midfielder Florentin Dumitru, said: "We have nothing to lose. And even if we do lose, it will be against the holders, and we must not forget that there are two legs. There is not any pressure for us - only for Valencia."

Positive tactics
As for his tactics, Zenga stated: "It is important not just to defend but to play with personality and with joy. To play like we did in Bilbao, not as in Parma. We cannot say Valencia are in bad shape. The Spaniards have players who can decide a match but we must not be afraid."