Toni Lato has been one of the Valencia CF players undertaking an intense preseason in Swtizerland and at the Ciudad Deportiva, as the team prepare for the 2022/23 campaign. The VCF Academy product found the time to talk with VCF Media this week, to explain how the summer workload has been for the team.

High demand

This preseason has been very demanding, both in the camp in Switzerland and here with the double sessions. We are working, fundamentally, on the team, the group and the ideas that the coach wants from us. Little by little, I think we are improving and we are grasping the concepts for the start of the league season.

A good feeling

It's preseason and we have to take away the feeling that the team transmits. The week we were in Switzerland was very good in terms of the group, and the things the coach told us were transmitted quite well. We have to continue improving and building the team. In the end, there are certain demands and workloads, and there are days that you can be at the limit. Preseason is for preparing physically and mentally for the start of the campaign.

Unity in the group

In Switzerland we saw our adaptation. There is a lot of unity in the group, the ideas are clear and we are all working together, doing what the coach tells us.

A new formation

It's a new formation. It's a 4-3-3 and we need new to get used to it, since it is totally different from the model from previous years. This takes some time and some adaptation. I think the team are adapting and have the capacity to be able to do this. We are trying to improve aspects that have not worked out so well for us, and are fine-tuning details to be able to be at our best in the match against Girona, with very clear ideas.

An intense start

It has been very demanding, with double sessions on a fitness, tactical and skills level. We are very happy with the coaching staff in the dressing room, I think we have welcomed each other well and we are all united to do the best we can.

Prominence for skill training

The way that we train is quite different. There is a lot of work done on the pitch. We work on some things in the gym, but almost everything is done on the pitch. There is a mix of skill drills with fitness drills. We appreciate it. In the end, players want the ball, and want the fitness exercises to also involve it. We are very happy, but we have to keep working and improving.

The importance of data

Every day the coaching staff show the data from the previous training session to us. They tell us where we have to improve, where we have to work more and where to regulate things if we have worked too much. It is very important, since it tells us that they want to do a job to transfer to the pitch later.

Gattuso experience

We have already sensed that he was a very important player and knows how a dressing room works. He is fundamental for us and he is very honest. He tries to make us a group and a team. We are very happy with both him and his coaching staff. He is a coach who is very close to the players. He knows what each player needs at all times, and we notice this.

Players from the VCF Academy

They are young players who are still developing, and are motivated to get to the first team like we have done. They want to fulfil their dream, and give it their best so that this dream comes true. In the end, they need to go through their own process, but they look to be doing very well. They are players with good heads on their shoulders and talent, and little by little they will give us a lot. I am very happy that there are more and more players from the VCF Academy coming through.

It's a bit contradictory when you make your debut. You are fulfilling your dream, but at the same time you get nervous. They are young and we have to try to help them to be as comfortable as possible so that they can help us more.

New excitement for a new season

I face the new season with a lot of enthusiasm. Last season is in the past. I didn't have an easy season due to injuries, but when I was available I was able to help the team. I would have liked to have been able to help more, but these things happen. This year I have been feeling very good physically in preseason and I am available for the coach wherever he needs me to play. I'm happy and I want to keep these good feelings going.

Playing on the right wing

The coaching staff have their needs, and wherever they play me I will try to do as much as possible and help my teammates.