The Argentina international is hoping to get one over on old boss Diego Simeone at the Calderon and called on his team-mates to match their hosts' intensity
Enzo Perez says Valencia have what it takes to beat reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Los Che are enjoying a resurgence following heavy investment under new club president Peter Lim and currently sit fourth in la Liga, just one point behind third-placed Atleti.
And Argentina international Perez is hoping to get one over on his former coach Diego Simeone.
“I had the opportunity to work with Simeone for six months at Estudiantes, though he has progressed since then,” Perez told Marca.
“His idea is always to play intensely and not to concede possession. We know it what sort of match it will be, but we’ll try to counter them.
“Atletico are the champions, ahead of us [in the league] and at home, so they must be the favourites.
“But we’ll try to play well and do things in the best way possible in order to achieve a favourable result.”
Diego Simeone led Atleti to an astonishing Liga title last season, breaking a decade-long dominance of the Spanish league by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Valencia, in 2003-2004, were the last side other than Madrid and Barca to claim the title and are now hoping to challenge Spain’s top three.
Atletico have won just two of their last nine league outings against Valencia, but won 10 of their last 11 games at home.
