Another young talent hoping to increase his minutes for the first team through strong performances this season, Vicente Esquerdo is looking at the Copa del Rey as an opportunity to shine. Valencia CF open their participation in the competition on Wednesday evening away to Terrassa FC, and he is looking forward to what he expects to be a tricky contest.

"It's going to be a difficult game at a very tough ground to visit. We're very excited about starting our cup campaign, and technically we are still the reigning holders because last season's final hasn't been played yet. We're very happy and we will be going for the win," he told VCF Media on Monday, warning that their opponents can't be overlooked.

"It's a single-legged tie. Just as they are going to be gunning for us, we need to go after them as well. Before you would have two games, so you could try out different things. You can't do that anymore; it's just the one leg, so you have to go for it."

The Copa del Rey adds to the packed schedule for the team, but also provides a chance to get a positive dynamic of results underway, as Esquerdo explains.

"I think that we're in good shape. I think that we deserve better results than we've been getting, but we are picking up points. We are focused on taking the victory in Terrassa and getting a winning run going."

From there, he and other emerging youngsters will try to take their opportunities in LaLiga as well as in the cup.

"We try to perform at our best and adapt as quickly as possible to Primera División football, which is faster and requires you to think on your feet. We are very close to the coach and to the rest of his staff. I'm very happy."

"I think that we are taking a step forward. We're fighting hard. That's not just the young players, but also the more experienced players who were already here. In the end, it doesn't matter how young you are; if you are ambitious and everybody is focused on the same thing, then we'll be able fight together."