After the 1-0 defeat to CD Castellón in Valencia CF's preseason friendly, Hugo Guillamón talked to the press about the showing in the Wednesday night encounter.

The match

It was a difficult game from start to finish. We knew how they were going to face the game, because it was their presentation match in front of their fans. These matches are useful for improving and so that we don't think that all of our work is done. We have 10 days to go before the league season starts, and we have to keep going because we have things to improve.

The Trofeo Naranja

The season gets underway shortly and I think the team are in good shape. I see our training sessions and there is confidence amongst us, and we are assimilating the concepts that the coach asks of us. I'm sure that we are going to start well. On Saturday we have a nice game in which to present our team to the fans. It's going to be a good test to show how ready we are for the start of the season.

Gattuso's ideas

I've felt comfortable with the coach from the first day that I trained under him. He's a good coach who I think is going to do things very well here. The team have welcomed him very well; obviously we still have things to improve, and with time we will pick those things up, but overall the team are very happy and he is too.

Teamwork in defence

It's not down to me, but I think that the team are doing well. Defensive work isn't just down to the defence -it's a job for everyone. If we concede, it doesn't mean that it's the defenders' fault. We have plenty of talented defenders who understand the coach's ideas. Some have been here for longer than others. They understand how the team works and I think that the team are in good shape.

A possible renewal

There's a lot of talk. I focus on playing and on being available to the coach. Right now, I'm not worried about anything else, and I'm looking forward to the start of the season.