Paulista: "This game is a classic encounter"

Of all the Valencia CF players, one who knows Villarreal CF best is Gabriel Paulista, who played for the Yellow Submarine from 2013-2015. The Brazilian was alongside his coach, Marcelino, in the Europa League press conference, looking ahead to the regional derby.

"In every competition you have to give one hundred percent. Tomorrow is a different, very beautiful competition, and we are focused on trying to progress and being at one hundred percent to do a good job," he told journalists in the press room.

"I've been at Villarreal CF and I know what it's like to play against Valencia CF. It will be a very difficult, hard game. In LaLiga they aren't doing well, but in the Europa League they have already eliminated two good teams. I expect a very difficult game, but we are very focused and we are definitely going to compete to try to get a good result."

Asked about which side has the most desire to win, Paulista responded that:

"Here we want to win every match. There, inside the dressing room and because of the motivation that the club have, they will also try to beat Valencia CF. This match is a classic encounter and everyone wants to win it. We will go there with the maximum strength, respecting them but also having the aim of getting a good victory or a good result for the second leg at Mestalla."