Soler: "The three points were important for the team and for me"

Penalty maestro Carlos Soler was 'hot from the spot' in the 4-1 win over Real Madrid this past Sunday, scoring a hat-trick that came exclusively from 12 yards. The midfielder -who was made one of the club captains the following day- gave VCF Media a briefing on what was a unique event in LaLiga.

What was the experience of the victory against Real Madrid like? Can you believe it yet?

It's thanks to the team. We all got the win together. I slept very little the night after the game. I'm feeling a little strange, as I still can't believe what happened. It is something that will stay in our memory and which is important for both the team and for me. The three points we took were very important.

Has the match ball been signed yet?

It's still not been signed, because some of my teammates have gone off with their national teams and I wanted to wait for all of them to be here to sign it.
 

Where are you going to keep it?

I'm going to put it on display next to the Copa del Rey. It was a very special day. The main thing is the three points, as they let us see ourselves a little higher up the table. That gives you a boost.

It's not the first time you've achieved a hat trick, right? At youth level you scored several.

As a child I was a forward and scored goals. Replicating that in the Primera División, and in such a special game, is very nice.

What was it like when you took the penalties?

Penalties are a game you play with the goalkeeper. The first time around he kept it out, but it was retaken and I was able to score. The second and third times, I took the spot kick with even more confidence. I knew that Courtois was going to wait until the last moment to move, and that if I tucked it close to one side then it would be very difficult for him to save. Courtois is a big goalkeeper who occupies a lot of space, making the goal seem smaller.

The Real Madrid players tried to put you off before your penalties. What were they saying to you?

It's part of the game. If it were the other way around, we would be doing it too. It's trying to intimidate the penalty taker a little. I was focused and had the mindset that I was going to score.

Who are your influences when it comes to taking penalties?

I've been practicing this style of penalties for a long time. We are seeing it more often in professional football. I've practiced them with Oyarzabal with the Spain national team. I used to take them like that before, but he's been doing it like this for a couple of years and he hasn't missed any of them. It's a different style that you don't see much. Now there are more penalty takers who shoot like this. I think it is quite effective and I hope it continues to be so.

What is your experience of the season like so far?

We are working well. We were convinced that if we played with the same intensity as against Getafe CF, or in the second half against Elche, we would have a chance to win. We showed that with intensity and working as a team we can beat anyone. It is a victory that strengthens us and gives us morale for what is coming up.

What are the challenges you have set out for this year?

Let's go game by game. We are focused and we trust in the team. We want to compete to the fullest in every game.

What is the atmosphere in the dressing room?

Both the homegrown players and those who have come in from abroad have to give their all on the pitch. That is the minimum requirement. That way, we will grow as a team and see the Valencia CF that we want to be. This victory gives us the morale boost to continue fighting.