Marcelino: "This team want to keep winning and be better"

The day before Valencia CF's first game of the 2019/20 LaLiga season, coach Marcelino outlined the objectives, atmosphere and ambitions of his side in his pre-match press conference.

Objectives
"The aim, since we arrived here, has been to improve.  Ambition is part of our job, and motivation is our obligation. This team have overcome moments of difficulty, and as a result of some extraordinary work, have managed to finish fourth two seasons in a row, win the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona and reach the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League.

This team want to keep winning and be better. The fans want to enjoy themselves watching the team play. For that to happen, we have to improve our results and our numbers -both in attack and defence. It's would be difficult to have another great comeback in the second half of the campaign like we had last season. We want to win tomorrow and pick up the three points. Our aim is to regain stability and tranquility, and then be more competitive and consistent than last season."

The approach to the season
"It is impossible to be at your highest level in the first LaLiga match of the season. We are all very excited about the potential that the team showed against Inter, then during the week we received a blow that transmitted some insecurity to the group. That in turn meant that we didn't train as I would have liked, with the focus solely on football and the first game of the season.

We have to minimise these circumstances and we will try to come into the game with the best mindset possible. We're up against a very good team, who've maintained the majority of their squad from last season. In their attack they have made some very good signings, and I think that they are going to be very demanding in terms of offence, and require the right kind of play when we have the ball and win it back -in order to counter against a very good side.

This season's squad
"The squad is better this year than it was last year, although I'm not sure if it's by much.  We're only lacking a footballer who we believe will enhance the offensive side of the team. With the players we have and that player that we are missing, we will have a better squad. The goal is to fight for the Champions League spots. We know that Sevilla FC, who are among the strongest sides in that battle for fourth with us, have made a very large investment. I am very proud of, and satisfied with, the squad we currently have, and we will see on September 2nd if I can give you an answer with absolute accuracy."

The Rodrigo situation
"As you know, Rodrigo was a player who at one point was transferred. The club told me that, and the player himself told me on Tuesday that an agreement had been done with Atletico Madrid. He said goodbye, and it seemed that in the afternoon he was going to have his medical examination. But the transfer was not completed.

Rodrigo wanted to return to training, and his way of acting is a credit to him. I have to make it clear that Rodrigo never asked me for a move away from Valencia CF, and we have tried to return to normal. His predisposition to working hard, and desire to help his colleagues is absolute. He is a great professional, an extraordinary person and shows gratitude to the fans, his teammates and the coaching staff. We will talk and decide on things."

Feeling respected by the majority shareholder
"I feel respected, because nothing makes me think that way of working has changed. There may be minimal details, but I feel fully supported by the squad, loved by the fans and absolutely respected by the club. In that sense, I'm working in the same situation as in previous seasons."