Paulista: "We are not far from our objective"

Gabriel Paulista talked after Valencia CF's Copa del Rey win away to La Núcia, and was asked about his performance, the team's objectives and his role in the squad.

How did you feel today, physically?

I felt very good today. Since last season I have gone through difficult times. This year I had a good preseason, but then I had some discomfort. Now I have to work hard, respect the decisions of the coach and respect my teammates. I am trying to do my best to return to play at the best level.

Do you feel like you're a substitute?

I will respect any decision but I will not accept it. I'm not going to sit back and relax. I have to continue working as I have always done at this club. I can't accept the situation, because if I accept I'd be relaxed, and I don't want that. I have this season left and one more. I am going to work very hard and make the coach have doubts. I am in good shape and improving in what the coach wants from me.

Are you considering leaving Valencia CF?

No. I want to play for Valencia CF until the end of my contract. I don't think about leaving. I plan to recover my starting position and I am only thinking about Valencia CF. I am very happy at the club and the city. My family are very happy. When our families feel good, we work better.

You're a dressing room heavyweight but your role has changed. Have you had a private chat with the coach?

I can't show that I'm okay. I don't like being on the bench. I talk to him and ask what I have to improve because I'm humble. He and his coaching staff show me videos, they explain what I have to do and explain what he is asking for. I have to adapt, I improve every day and I try hard every day. As I am one of the captains I also try to transmit a lot of positivity to my teammates. Especially after the last match in LaLiga, in which we lacked something and had a very painful defeat. I have to do a lot of work to help my teammates and also work hard on the pitch.

Is your injury fully healed already? What is missing for you to be an important player?

The coach tells me that I am an important player. If not, he would tell me that he doesn't have me in his plans. I don't remember the sequence of games, but I played against Mallorca and Elche... Against Elche I didn't feel fit, against Mallorca I did. Against Barça I had a very good game. Against Real Sociedad I received a knock. Now I'm fine, and I recovered during the World Cup break.

How important is the month that Valencia CF have ahead?

Playing at home is very important. It gives us something extra. Coming off a defeat is very painful, but a win in the cup gives us a little more confidence. We have to forget what happened against Villarreal. Now we have to win. It is our obligation to respect the opponents and strike. We are not far from our objective.

Do you see an improvement in the short term? Can you get to the Champions League spots with some squad improvement?

Talking about transfers will help us. We are improving in every way, but there is a lot of talk about players who could arrive and are sure to adapt as quickly as possible to what the coach is asking for and reach our main objective. Not only do I think that, but I'm sure all our teammates do too. I transmit that we have a very good team and they are using that positivity. We need to believe more and at the end we will achieve our goal.

You have talked about Europe, but the coach says that the goal is to score 40 points. What does the dressing room think?

What I have said before is that I try to convey to our squad that we have to believe in this. It is a beautiful and different competition. It gives us prestige. Young players can upgrade their contracts. The squad has this in mind, are improving a lot and we are working for that.