Bruno Dominici is one of the key figures in the Valencia CF coaching staff headed by Gennaro Gattuso. The fitness coach has been in charge of getting the players in shape during preseason, and he spoke to VCF Media to analyse the first weeks of work with the squad.

Structuring preseason

The structure for preseason is very simple. Our way of working is divided into two parts, but the two really go hand-in-hand. We do not differentiate the fitness side from the technical-tactical side on the pitch. The workload is always structured according to the overall focus.

Working with new players

As we did not know the squad, we had to start a little blindly, with a little more calm, to see how they got used to our way of working -which might be different from what they were used to before. After a few days of adaptation, we were able to plan the work more specifically.

The format for training

We like to work with a format in which there are two days of a high training load, and a third day in which we reduce that to favour recovery. We train in the morning and in the afternoon and we mix fitness exercises with tactics drills.

Adapting to a midseason break

The idea we have is that in the middle part of the season, when the World Cup will be played, we can do other work. Now we have a workload that is a little different from what we have done in other preseasons -in which there was no break in the middle of the season.

Typical training sessions

A training session starts from the day before. The afternoon before, we have a meeting with the doctors. After each training session, we talk about the situation for all the players. In the morning, we have another meeting with them and the coach, in case there has been any news.

Using technology

Data is fundamental in the way we work. All players, during all training sessions, wear a GPS monitor that measures all their activity. This way we know what the players have done and know if they are all at the same level. Naturally, there are different characteristics depending on the position, so they will not all have the same data.

The data is always shared with the players. That way they know what they have done. They ask what it means, and if they are doing well or not.

They are very interested in this. This is important because they perceive the importance of what we do for them and the attention we put into it. This way they understand why we tell them “today you have to recover” or “today you have to work more.

" It is not something that we say on a whim, but because we think it is necessary based on what they have done. It is very important for us, because it means that the players understand what we do and appreciate it.

The camp in Switzerland

Coming to Switzerland has been a very good choice, because of the temperatures and because we have had a very functional structure that has helped us a lot. In Valencia the temperatures are very high. Training in lower temperatures helps improve performance because we can demand more from the players.

 Working with Gattuso

I started out in 2002 at AC Milan, where I met Gattuso. I was there until 2016. Then I had an experience abroad, in China. Then I joined Gattuso's coaching staff when he returned to Milan. We were there for two years and then I continued with him at SSC Napoli. And now we have the experience here as well.

We understood each other very quickly. I know how he thinks and he knows how I think, so collaboration is very easy. The same goes for Gigi, the assistant coach. We have known each other for many years and it is very easy to organise and schedule everything.

Gattuso as a coach is the same as when he was a player. It is not that he is just very demanding; he is demanding to the maximum. Being demanding is a priority for him. What he asks of the players he asks of us too, fortunately. He is present in everything. Before the players see their data, he wants to see it first. He always comments on it.

 Assessing the squad

The team have surprised me very positively. The most important thing is how they have followed our instructions. On the pitch they have paid a lot of attention to us. That has been essential for them experiencing great growth.

Overall, the training camp in Switzerland has been very positive. We have managed to work well and meet all the objectives that we had set for ourselves. It was not easy to plan without knowing the players and the structures. We followed our programme well, so overall, the analysis of what we have been doing in preseason is very positive.