Gattuso: “It will be a very difficult game, and we have to play with speed and intensity”

Gennaro Gattuso talked ahead of Valencia CF’s game against Getafe CF on Sunday in his pre-match press conference, analysing both the game and the transfer activity done in the summer.

How satisfied are you with the transfer market activity? What do you think of Soler leaving?

I've been here two months. I'm sorry that Soler has left. I have worked hard -and so have the club- to make a proposal to stay, but he decided not to continue here. He is an amazing guy. He has always worked hard, in the dressing room and on the pitch. He didn't want to stay here because he wanted to play in Europe. We worked hard to keep him but he decided against it. I can only speak well of him, because of how he has worked and for what he has given me, which is a lot. It’s normal that when a team comes in on the last day, you accept it if the player’s contract is ending. We have signed good players, young kids. We have to work. The team are working well, even though we only have three points, but we have to continue in the same way and keep improving. I’m very happy with how we are playing. We have to win games and improve our position, but I’m delighted with how the team are working and how they are playing.

In your presentation you were asked if Lim had communicated the need to sell. Yesterday Layhoon said that she expected more sales than expenditure. Do you understand that as long as the club does not play in Europe there is a need to sell?

We are talking about a particular situation. We sold Guedes for 35m+5m. Soler had only one year on his contract, the club made him an offer and the player decided to leave. UEFA have sanctioned 25-30 teams for Financial Fair Play breaches. It’s normal that I would like to sign players with big names and experience, but for now it is impossible. I have to respect the numbers, and for now we can't. I’m very happy with what I have. I believe in my team a lot. People say that the team are young, but we are going to improve in terms of experience.

Many players have arrived. Which ones are ready to get minutes?

When a new player arrives, it is difficult to make him play from the start. Cenk is training, as are Nico and André Almeida. Ilaix hasn't played for 2-3 months and has to work. Kluivert too, but it’s OK. Tomorrow they will all be available for the game.

When can we see Cavani on the pitch? And Almeida?

Almeida has been here a week. He's fine. He didn't play in the last game and that was my decision. Cavani cannot train hard, because if he gets injured he will be out for 2 months. On Monday he will be on the training pitch. It's normal; it's impossible that a 35-year-old, after three months without training with a team, can train to the fullest.

The fans believe in you a lot. Do you feel that responsibility? Are you able to meet expectations?

I’m certain that I am. In my job, especially here, at a great team with a great history, it's normal to have pressure. I am not saying that my team are young, but rather that it is the best team that I can coach at the moment. We don't have to play with fear. We are doing good things. If we are going to continue in this way, with this mentality, we are going to get to where we want to be.

How did you prepare for this game in terms of scoring goals?

The same as in previous games. I’m not worried. In the last games we have played 65% of the time in the final metres. That, for me, is an important chance to score. It does not worry me.

Does it cause you concern that there are a number of players in on loan?

I’m not worried. My concern is to win games. Not the squad. This squad is the best in the world. I really think so.

What do you expect from the match against Getafe CF?

I hope to win the match, whether we play well or badly. It's difficult to play against Quique Sanchez Flores, because his teams play man-to-man and they have a good defensive setup, so it's hard to find space. It is a very difficult game, and we have to play with speed and intensity.

You said that you would have liked to have brought in more big-name players. At the beginning of the transfer market did you think it was possible?

We have looked at many players. But we also have to look at their salary, if the player wants to come here, if it appeals to their agent. We have spoken with many players. I liked the players who have come here and so did Corona. I think we have the best players.

How are Hugo Duro, Jesús Vázquez and Gabriel Paulista?

All three are available and will be in the squad.

You said that against Athletic and Atletico you were close to the opposing area for a long time. Against Getafe do you expect something similar to happen?

We have to pay close attention to the second balls. Getafe defend well and have the quality to go on the counterattack.

Will having the fans there be important tomorrow?

Is incredible. Before training I spoke with Castillejo about it. It is not normal that yesterday there were so many people at Mestalla. Castillejo is Spanish and he always tells me that Valencia CF are the third biggest club in Spain. The fans have also pushed us hard in the games we've played. We have to win because I don't like the fans to just be happy with the game, but rather because we won. We have to continue and not only play well, but also win. It's not easy, and I hope they will continue like this.

You said that you are happy with the squad. Can you give it a mark out of ten?

I think the team are functional for how I want to play. I've heard people say that I don't have a pivot. I have Guillamón and when I signed Nico I signed him as a no.6 and as a no.8. All the players are functional for how I want to play. I was terrible at school, so I don't give grades.

Getafe CF play with three at the back. Do you expect it to be like this tomorrow?

Against Villarreal CF they played with a back four and I think that tomorrow they will do so. They did well in their last game. In the first two games they played with three at the back, but I think tomorrow they will use two lines of four.