Gayà: “We are very clear about what we have to do” | OneFootball

Valencia CF captain, José Luis Gayà, talked to the media ahead of his team’s game against FC Barcelona.

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Survival

“I have many reasons to believe that it is possible. First, from what I see in each training session: I see a convinced and motivated squad. That is the way we have to follow, continuing working, insisting on Corberán's new ideas -and they are being reflected on the field of play.”

Lamine Yamal

“He is one of the best players in the world. I remember seeing him on his first day with the national team, when he was 16, and I was amazed. I said that he was going to define an era, because he has no limits. It is always nice to face players like him.”

Corberán's ideas

“He has brought new ideas. We are a team that like to dominate both facets of the game. Without the ball, we’re an intense, pressing team; with the ball, we try to have a way of playing that mixes combinations of passes and directness. We have a profile of players that work very well in space. With Baraja we did that very well and now we have to continue insisting on it. We are seeing a more daring team with the ball, but one that always look for the opposition goal.”

The Spain national team

“It is always a motivation and a source of pride. It is the best thing to be able to represent your country and I have that in mind. My priority is to be focused on the team here and to get through the situation. I’m sure that we will get out of it.”

The dressing room

“The group seem convinced. We are very clear about what the path is, what we have to do, which is to focus on the day to day work. As Corberán said, he wanted players who came in every day to improve, and who came out as better players. We are understanding this, we are coming to work hard and improve the situation.”

Injuries

“I’m doing very well. These months have been very tough for me, above all because I haven’t been on the pitch, but rather working off it. I’ve worked very hard. I’ve put this big injury behind me and it has been a learning experience. Now I have to keep getting up to speed, but I feel very good. Sometimes injuries cannot be controlled, but in my career I have had very good moments. I have played many games and I know myself very well. When I go out onto the pitch, I go out there to enjoy myself. I’m not afraid. Every injury has helped me learn and improve.”

A message to the fans

“Anyone who has stopped believing should look at the last few games. They have been good, and that is the way forward. The team are very much alive and we all really want to change this situation. At Mestalla, the way the fans were gave us the push we needed. It was very nice and special.”

FC Barcelona

“We are going to expect Barça at their best. In the Champions League it was a demonstration of how they believe. They have great players. They have been able to adapt to what Hansi Flick asks of them; to be very aggressive and go forward. They are a great team.”

Nou Mestalla

“The current Mestalla is a great stadium. It is always special there. I don't give the new stadium much importance, as it is not a decision that depends on me. Now we are going to have another stadium and I am sure we will adapt and it will be special too.”

The transfer market

“The more competitiveness there is in the team, the better for everyone. The Sporting Director is in charge of that issue, whilst I’m doing my own job. We players already have enough on our plate, without thinking about that. Any player who comes in to improve the squad, the better.”

Valencia CF

“I'm not thinking about anything like leaving the club. I'm 100% focused on improving and getting out of this difficult situation we have. Valencia CF is my home, I've been here since I was 11. I've been here through good times, bad times... and I hope I can go through the good times again.”

A difficult challenge

“I've never been in this situation in these 10 years that I've been here. It's going to be tough, but I want to turn it around. We have the opportunity to change the situation. The second half of the season has started and we have time ahead of us. I'm very motivated to be able to change it and I'm really looking forward to it.”

Mestalla

“It's key. It’s the most important thing. It's been shown, like the other day, that when there's that connection and we feel united, Mestalla is unstoppable. I'm sure that the fans will be there for us, because they'll see reasons to be there. If we give them that, they'll be behind us for sure.”

The season

“It’s been the hardest of my career. It's been a long time and the team's situation is tough, then there was the DANA tragedy. Many situations have gone against me, but one has to grow from them.”

Individual records

“I don't look at how many games I'm on. I just try to help the team. The other day I saw the story about me overtaking Claramunt, and with everything that has happened it is a source pride. I am overtaking players who have defined an era here. I don't think about it at the moment, but when I stop playing I will review my career. I’m 29 years old and I have a long way ahead of me. I try to enjoy myself and whatever will come, will come.”

The Copa del Rey

“It doesn't bother me at all that we also have that competition. Valencia CF have always been characterised as a cup side. My greatest memory in football is the 2019 Copa del Rey final. The situation in LALIGA is what it is, but one thing doesn't take away from the other. Every game in which we wear this shirt, we are going to represent the club in the best possible way.”