Gracia: "This is a step further in our growth and a boost in confidence"

Javi Gracia reflected on an important win for Valencia CF at the Reale Arena on Matchday 4, speaking in his post-match press conference after the 0-1 triumph over Real Sociedad.

The performance

“The game today was fairly well balanced. The team showed a lot of commitment, a lot hard work, a lot of ambition and a lot of consistency. If you don’t do that against a side like Real Sociedad, then you’re not going to take points here. I think that Real Sociedad were a little more stifled thanks to our defensive work. I think that everybody deserves credit for that: Correia is one of them, but everybody deserves it. Wass did some great work with the ball and without it in the middle. In certain moments he gave us that pause and longer spell of possession, without losing the ball. He gave us a little more security when moving the ball around. We could single out every player, whether they participated or not, but I think that this is a step further in our growth and a boost in confidence.”

Credit for the victory

“The victory is down to Valencia CF. If I’m pleased about anything, it’s that on my side of things -my responsibility- I can offer my hard work to those who identify with this club, who work here and who suffer and enjoy themselves with the club. I’m very happy with these three points, because the next game is a tough one against a great team, in a tricky time. I don’t know if there is a better moment in which to provide and share this victory, which was down to the young players and older players, those who played and those who didn’t. This was a win for everybody to enjoy, and to help us to grow together.”

Mixing youth with experience

“Suffering is part of the game, and we have to be ready for it. I don’t know if it’s a question of youth or experience, but every team needs balance in these types of situations, with young and experienced players. It helps in the present day and in the future, so that the young players are protected by the experience of those older than them. Real Sociedad also have a very young team.”