Hugo Duro spoke to VCF Media on the eve of Valencia CF’s Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Athletic Club. The attacker spoke of his excitement at the chance of reaching the final of the cup competition.

The route to the semifinals

It seems like it was yesterday that we started this journey in the Copa del Rey, playing in the cold in Utrillas. Now we're two games away from getting into a final. For now, we're going to enjoy the semifinal, which I think we've deserved. We're close to the final.

Athletic’s strengths

We are two intense teams who want to go through. Two historic teams. They have a stadium and a fanbase that are amazing as well. They are going to be pushing.

They are a team who have already eliminated Barça and Real Madrid. Now it's our turn to try to reach the final, and we're going to go for it.

Memories of the cup at Getafe

At Getafe I watched the team reach the final, and I enjoyed it like a little kid. As a player here, I want to reach the final at all costs, because it is exciting for me and for the fans. It's a very important game on Thursday.

His role on the team

I came here as practically the fifth choice striker. There was Maxi Gómez, Marcos André, Gonçalo Guedes and Manu Vallejo here. On the wing there was Hélder Costa, Cheryshev and Yunus Musah. It's tough to carve out a spot for yourself at Valencia CF, especially with the players that are here.

The importance of the second leg at home

It all depends on the first leg, whether that's at home or away. If you get a bad result on Thursday, doing well at home would be for nought. We have to be focused on Thursday and get a good result. We know that Mestalla is going to be a nightmare for them, as the fans are going to spur us on and help us. The fans are going to give us a push when we need it. We hope that, between us and the fans, we can get through to the final.