Nico González: "Mestalla is key and has to be our fortress"

Nico González has now recovered from the injury suffered last December in the match against Villarreal CF, which forced him to undergo surgery.

Speaking on VCF Media's L'Informatiu programme, he explained how he has been working to shorten the recovery process and stressed the importance of Mestalla in the team taking the three points against CA Osasuna.

Ready for action

I'm very happy to be ready again. I'm really looking forward to it. It's been a tough couple of months, but the time has come and I'm thrilled. I've been training with the group since last week and I'm happy with how close I'm getting to match fitness. I don't have any discomfort.

Returning ahead of schedule

Last Thursday was eight weeks after the operation. We have brought forward my return a few weeks and everything went very well.

Hard work

The first few weeks were the most difficult. I went to La Coruña to be with my family and to unwind mentally. From then on, I set myself the idea of doing double sessions from Monday to Saturday every week. I've noticed that when I got back on the pitch and I feel good. It's the difference that makes me at my best right from the start. I've only been training for a few days, but I'm getting up to match fitness.

Close to the finish line

These moments when you're out of action for a few weeks help you to grow a lot. There are important moments after the operation when you have to make yourself aware that you can't help the team and set deadlines for yourself in order to come back. I set this week as my goal and was always working towards it.

A necessary boost

I don't get to see my family much and the post-operation time helped me a lot to be with them and gather strength.

Wearing an orthopaedic boot

I was very happy to wear the orthopaedic boot, so that I didn't have to use crutches. However, the last few days, when I was able to walk, it was hard for me to go on wearing it. But it was better than having to use crutches.

Maximum dedication

The medical services have worked very hard. We are grateful for all the involvement they have had to adapt and help as much as possible.

Ready to play

I'm 100% fit. Today I was talking about it with the coach. Today I felt much quicker and lighter, and I'm picking up more match fitness. Every day I'm noticing it a lot.

Baraja's arrival

He has been explaining to me the new ideas we have. He's on top of things. Every training session he's asking me questions. It's important to adapt to the new ideas and get up to match fintness. The first day he arrived, when I was recovering, he told me that he and my father had played against one another. My father remembered a match in Riazor when Baraja was covering him.

The team + Mestalla

Obviously, it's a very difficult situation, but the team are feeling the change. It is also very important that Mestalla helps us a lot. In the last game, you could see that it is very important.

Our fortress

Mestalla has to push us hard, as it always does. When the team are at our best, Mestalla is even better. We are a team that, despite our situation, can beat anyone. Any team that comes to Mestalla has to suffer to get a point. Mestalla is key and has to be our fortress.

Change against Real Sociedad

The situation of going so many games without a win was tough. Winning that game gave us confidence and allowed us to see the way forward. If we continue with this idea, we will win many more games, for sure.

Suffering on the sidelines

The games I didn't play, I was biting my fingernails with nerves. It was harder for me to sleep than when I play.

Helping Valencia CF

The personal objective must always be to improve little by little. But, the objective is a collective one. We have to win on Saturday. My main objective is for Valencia CF to get out of this situation and to help the team as much as I can.

Final to final

Every game is a final. If we win this weekend, I think we'll get out of the relegation zone. It's important mentally, as you play with more confidence when you're away from that. Every game is key.

Returning to Mestalla

I've been really looking forward to coming back throughout the whole process. I still can't quite believe it. I want to be back at Mestalla playing. I'm in the process of assimilating that I'm already back with the team. The matches are a totally different situation. You can't simulate the feelings of the match in training and the key moment is Saturday.