Fresh from the opening preseason win of the season, Marcelino García Toral spoke about Valencia CF's game against FC Sion, players Maxi Gómez, Fran Villalba and Manu Vallejo, and how the preseason is helping his team.
A first preseason victory
"It's another training session with the intention of getting into the best shape possible for the start of the season. I think that we can do things much better than we did today, but you have to look at the conditioning factors like the very stifling heat, the uneven state of the pitch... These feelings could be good for the start of the season."
Maxi Gómez' first goal
"Maxi has come here to help us to score goals, to combine with his teammates, to defend, to attack... To do everything. He's obviously in an adaptation period; whenever a new striker comes in and scores, it's good for him. It's going to be good for him and will help increase his confidence and performance."
An important game for players looking to win a place
"Everybody on this team wants to earn their place and get into their best shape. We came back off nearly 40 days of holidays, we're doing a lot of work, we have heavy legs right now and the way we train will modify as the preseason progresses. Now we have to get acclimatised to competing better, remember concepts and improve them."
Fran Villalba
"He is performing at a very high level and has taken a leap up in his game compared to the player who was at VCF Mestalla two seasons ago."
Manu Vallejo
"He's showing a great attitude and a desire to participate and get into the box. He has a willingness and predisposal. Moving from Cadiz to a Valencia CF side in the Champions League isn't easy, but preseason is giving us a truer vision in order to make a decision."