Ahead of his first official game in charge of Valencia CF, coach José Bordalás gave a press conference to talk about the encounter with his former club, Getafe CF

A meeting with Peter Lim

“I came out of the meeting pleasantly satisfied. He seemed like a very personable man. I explained the needs of the team, and we were in agreement. It was very relaxed atmosphere, and I left the meeting with Peter Lim very satisfied.”

The importance of the season opener

“We are confident that we can have the entire squad available for tomorrow. I am sure that the club are doing everything to make it happen. We have the first three points of the season up for grabs, and right now they are the most important points. It’s what I’ve transmitted to the squad. I want them to be a recognisable team. Bordalás is going to put everything on the line for this team, for this club and for these fans. I have been doing it from the first day I arrived, and I will do it until my last day here.

“Preseason is there to optimise the level of the team. I have never got carried away by results in preseason. The moment of truth arrives when it arrives. Anything else is just a test. The really important thing has arrived, which is the game against Getafe CF.”

Getafe CF

“Getafe CF are a very solid team, with players who have been together for a long time. They have reinforced the squad and they have not lost any games in preseason. They are a strong team. It is going to be a difficult match. We will have to perform at our best level, but we are prepared for the start of the league season.

“I represent the interests of Valencia CF. I have affection for Getafe CF, but my intention is for Valencia CF to be at our best and win the game.”

Squad availability

“Cillessen is doing much better. We have one training session left and tomorrow we will see where he stands in terms of availability for the game against Getafe CF.

 “Carlos Soler has recently joined up with the squad. He comes back as a silver medallist at the Olympics and wanted to start the LaLiga season with his teammates. He is in shape because he has not stopped playing. He looks fit and he wants to help the team. He’s in my plans for tomorrow's game. Racic has been injured, but he is fine; he lacks some match pace, but he is tremendously motivated. I have been able to talk to Wass. He is hugely committed to Valencia CF. He wants to play. He is a great professional. We don't know what will happen with him. We are confident that he will continue with us, and we look forward to having him here, because he is in shape and is a great professional.

“Jaume has had a knee injury and is almost ready to join up with the group. Lato has had a muscle injury and we hope to have him with us as soon as possible.”

Transfer activity

“We are not in the ideal situation. We would like to have a player come in. We spoke about that at the time, and we would like to shore up the positions that the team need in order to be well balanced and compete. Peter Lim agreed on this. He gave the green light to cover those needs and we are waiting for those additions that the team need to fully take shape.

 “Difficulties always arise. We would have liked to have been able to have the players that we needed before this first game, but now isn’t the time to think about what we thought before, but rather to focus on tomorrow's game. We trust that the incorporations that the team needs will arrive between now and the closing of the transfer window.”

The role of the fans

“The fanbase and our relationship with them is very important. We have no doubt that the fans will get behind the team. We are sure that those who are in the stadium are going to support us, and that they will give a boost to the team.”

First official game as VCF coach

“It is a very important thing as a professional. I am facing it with the calm of experience and with enormous motivation. There is great responsibility, because behind Valencia CF there is great history and a magnificent amount of desire. I am convinced that I will not disappoint anyone. I will give absolutely everything.”

“I want them to be a recognisable team. Bordalás is going to put everything on the line for this team, for this club and for these fans. I have been doing it from the first day I arrived, and I will do it until my last day here.”