Gayà: “We will see the best version of Valencia CF on the pitch”

José Gayà appeared at a press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey final that Valencia CF will play against Real Betis at La Cartuja.

Have you dreamed of lifting the cup? Are you worried about the refereeing, with everything that is happening?

Lifting the cup would be incredible. It is something that even in my wildest dreams I would not have imagined, and hopefully, it will happen. On the refereeing issue, we don't have to say anything. I already said what I had to say last week, and I'm sure the referee will call what he sees and it won't affect him at all. We have to help him.

Do you think that everything depending on one game means greater pressure?

We come into the final with the feeling of having done a good job, and the intention of enjoying the final. This year we are not where we wanted in LaLiga, but that pressure does not have to affect us. The whole season is on the line in the final, but it's a good kind of pressure. It would give us a trophy and a spot in Europe next season.

Does it bother you that Betis have been labelled the favourites?

In the end, in terms of Betis being the favourite, I don't know who is saying it. We know that in a final, everything is equal. We are a great team, and several players have already lifted a cup in 2019 when Barça were the favourites. It does not bother me at all. We have to be focused as players, look at how to counter their best players and take the chances we have.

A few days ago you told us that in 2019 you started with an advantage due to the atmosphere- What did you feel during the farewell in Valencia?

When we went out on the pitch and saw the Valencia CF section full -and the Barça section half empty- it made us believe that we were already winning. The farewell was incredible and we have to enjoy another final -and hopefully, we can win the cup.

Do you know how to win tomorrow's match?

Yes. We are clear about how we are going to play. Betis can be played against in two ways: Pressuring them or sitting further back. We'll see tomorrow, but the players are clear about it, we know what the plan is going to be and we'll try to carry it out.

Have Manuel Pellegrini's statements bothered the dressing room?

We have heard them. They are statements that make no sense. You have to play the game, and then we’ll talk. There is no point in talking about something that has not happened. If we win tomorrow, then people will say that it’s because we are unsportsmanlike, and if Betis win, it will be because they play well. We already know this.

What have they told you at home before you travelled to Seville?

They told me to enjoy this moment. We don't know if we're going to get another final. It is a unique opportunity. Hopefully, we can win and enjoy it all together.

What do you say to your teammates before a final?

I have to convey to them to keep calm, to enjoy themselves, and that what we have done is already great. We just have to see how Valencia CF are. We have to be proud and now we have to enjoy ourselves.

In 2019 it was the same. I tried to enjoy the final to the fullest and we were able to win. Tomorrow is the same. I have to tell them that the pressure can’t influence us, that we have to enjoy it. I am pleased and happy.

The dynamic of the team is not good. Will we see the best version of Valencia CF?

Tomorrow we are going to see the best version of Valencia CF. We've struggled a bit in recent games, but in these games, the important thing is how we deal with it, and that we give everything on the pitch. My teammates are going to give everything on the pitch.

What do you think about when he is alone? How do you calm those nerves?

I'm not nervous. Quite the contrary. I see my friends and my family. I am calm because the team are going to give everything. We are prepared. My head is focused on playing a good game and winning the cup for Valencia.

Bordalás has said that he is excited about the cup because of what it means to the fans. The pandemic has affected things a lot. Can you feel people's desire to win a trophy again?

It is another boost. When we go out there we know that we are not alone, that there is an incredible crowd behind us, who have shown that they have always been alongside the players.

I was thinking about that today. The fans have been with us to the fullest and that is why we are going to try to bring them back the cup. We are going to give everything and the trophy will be dedicated to them if we win.

Are there differences between the two finals?

Yes. We got into the Champions League the last time. Winning was the icing on the cake. Now it's different because we don't have the goal accomplished yet. We don’t come into this one the same, but that doesn't mean anything.

We know how important tomorrow's game is and that's how we're going to face it. We are going to leave everything out there on the pitch to win the cup and qualify for Europe.