Jaume Domènech: “We’re going to suffer, but we’re going to pull it off"

Jaume Domènech was the main guest on L'Informatiu on VCF Media. The homegrown goalkeeper, one of the team captains, spoke about his lengthy spell on the sidelines after his serious injury and the situation of the squad.

The Almenara-born guardian was convinced of the team's ability to achieve their objective but made it clear that togetherness and maximum effort are essential to doing so.

Fully recovered

I feel very well. I'm very happy to be with the team, to be available for the coach and to be able to help from the pitch. It's been many months of work.

I want to help in any way I can

When you are already a veteran player, who has been with the Club for many seasons, you already have the necessary experience to accompany your teammates and transmit to them that we are playing for our lives.

First call-up

When I was on the bus on the way to Elche, I was thrilled to be able to be with the team. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. Now, he enjoys every training camp, every trip, and every warm-up...

Medical services

At the time of my injury, many things were going through my head. The first two months after the operation were really complicated because of the pain. The medical services of Valencia CF are top-of-the-line. 

I can't thank them enough for how they treated me, the strength and conditioning coaches, physios and the doctors. It is very reassuring to have these professionals by the team's side. I  can't thank them enough for the way they have treated me, the strength and conditioning coaches, physios and the doctors. It is very reassuring to have these professionals by the team's side.

Taking care of every detail

We have taken care of every detail 24 hours a day. We flew to Arabia with the fear that our knees might swell during the trip and we took two pressotherapy machines with us. All in all, we have achieved our goal of being ready for the final stretch of the season.

Giving up my contract

I couldn't put my situation before the interests of the team. I, as I am, knew that I was going to arrive before the end of the league. The Club didn't abandon me after the injury, we signed the renewal. They offered me the possibility of signing a goalkeeper and I agreed to give up my contract. I will never be a problem for Valencia CF. In the January transfer window, we spoke to the doctor and, as there were still some vacant places, I was re-signed.

A great learning curve

My path to becoming a Valencia CF goalkeeper has not been easy. I learned the lesson of what it takes to be a Valencia CF player. I have learned to value all this. For me, there is nothing greater on a professional level than wearing the Valencia CF shirt. Seeing how they have cared for me and how they have worked hard for my recovery makes me even more grateful. If my commitment has always been 100%, now it is 110%. I have learned to be more grateful and to help more all the people around me.

A different kind of suffering

The away games, at home with the family were a show because I couldn't travel. But, at Mestalla, I couldn't sit down because of the tension in the final minutes and I went down to the pitch to help as much as possible.

Great support

My family and friends have been 100% behind me. They have been an important part of my recovery. There have been hard times when I couldn't see the light. I wanted to come back better and I think we've done that.

Next match

The situation is difficult. We have five very important matches. What we are trying to do is to avoid the other four games and just focus on the next one. Every game requires 100% from us and we don't think about anything else. We are working and focusing on taking responsibility in one-on-ones. Our opponents can't beat us. We are not talking about winning all five games. We only talk about RC Celta. I see a convincing and responsible team. We have to go to Vigo for everything. It depends on us.

No distractions

We can't waste a second, not an ounce of energy in doing the maths. The day you least expect it, the team you don't expect wins and breaks everything. We have to think about winning the next game.

Give it our best

We need 200% from everyone. All 25 of us have to be at 200%. Sometimes, the only thing that can help you when we are away from home is the confidence and help of the teammates. We have to be ready to go the extra mile for the full 90 minutes or even if it is just one. Commitment is what will get us through. Minute by minute. Play by play. We can't take it all in.

Every minute counts.

Right now, 10 minutes determine a match. If you are experiencing the match to the full, when you come on, you take the fitness or quality leap that the match requires. The match against Valladolid is an example. These are details that define the season.

A team

In a team, 11 are lucky enough to start and the coach can make five changes, so 16 play every weekend. But, the other nine have to be at the level this shirt needs. They will all end up playing. And it's also important to be good to raise the quality of training. The most successful teams are the ones that have been just that, a team. The objective we have now is very big and it has to be achieved as a team. I think we are a team and we are proving it.

Vital objective

It is equally or more important than fighting for the Champions League. It is the challenge we have today. We have five games in which we have to give our all to achieve our objective.

Baraja and Marchena

For them, there was nothing greater than having played for Valencia CF and now coaching them. I feel very identified with that. They have focused on the day-to-day work and not looking at the standings. Improving day by day is what will lead you to win. Focusing on the numbers distracts you from the day-to-day. Although, it's true that we are in a short period now and we have to get the result.

Ready

The good thing, in spite of the bad situation, is that we've known for several matchdays that we're at the limit. The team are ready to face key games. The other day, against Villarreal CF, we got a point which is enough for us to depend on ourselves. The team knows how to play in these situations and on Sunday we will see a team that knows what is at stake and is responsible.

Mestalla factor

We feel strong at Mestalla. It's a stadium that conditions the team that comes here. Mestalla weighs on the rival and also on some of our players at some point. But Mestalla is very good for us. We have five games left and three of them are away. Elche was very good for us and we know what we have to do to repeat it.

Support from the fanbase

I am lost for words for the fanbase. They are demanding, but they are aware of what is at stake. They are doing everything they can to help us. What they do is priceless. We have to kill for us and also for them. We're grateful, we're going to suffer, but together we're going to pull it off.

We need to give it 200% from all of us. All 25 of us have to be at 200%. Sometimes, the only thing that can help you when we are away from home is the confidence and help of the teammates. We have to be ready to go the extra mile for the full 90 minutes or even just one. Commitment is what will get us through. Minute by minute. Play by play. We can't be doing the maths.