Gómez puts victory down to halftime teamtalk

Maxi Gómez scored Valencia CF's second goal of the game in their Matchday 1 derby against Levante UD, having been set up by Kang In with a great assist.

"We know the kind of quality Kang In has; you make a movement and he sends the ball there. I had the chance to make a good play, got away from my marker and scored," he explained.

The striker's goal might have been vital, but he believes the real turning point was coach Javi Gracia's halftime teamtalk.

"I think that we put in a lot of hard work -all of the team. Those who played, those who came on and those who were in the stands, we all support each other. That's what makes the team strong, as do the coach's words. I think that the half time teamtalk was fundamental, and thanks to them we took the win," he told VCF Media after the game.

"Every derby is difficult, wherever they are. In the first half the opposition went ahead, but the team kept fighting and the goals arrived, which was very important. We came out stronger in the second half and we took the win."

As for the content of the teamtalk, Gómez says that the new coach urged the team to be more attacking.

"He told us that we had to go forward, keep going and not give up. He reminded us that in preseason we also went behind -and came back to win. Those words helped us to win."