Sobrino: "I'm excited to be able to play against Alavés"

On January 31st of this year, Rubén Sobrino moved from Deportivo Alavés to Valencia CF. This weekend he has the chance to face his former club, in a must-win game at Mestalla in LaLiga.

“Alavés are a club at which I was able to grow football-wise, and who allowed me to debut in the Primera División. I only have words of thanks for them, and I'm excited to be able to play against them," says the striker, who conversed with VCF Media on Friday.

The winter transfer window signing has also been chatting with his ex-teammates, including goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco, who he knows not just from his time at Alavés but also in the Real Madrid youth setup.

“I used to say to him that I was going to score against him when we played one another, because he always said that he knew me well and that he would stop every shot. I'm sure that, now he's said that, one might go through against him."

"Alavés are a club where it is instilled in you that you have to fight to the end. They ask you for commitment, attitude, that you are a good person and to form a group that is compact and supportive of each other."

On coach Abelardo, under whom he played for a year over two separate seasons, he opines that: "He is a coach who transmits a lot to you, and he showed us to have attitude. Alavés are very good from set pieces, and they are a very intense side and are going to give their all."

Surprise Champions League contenders earlier this campaign, Alavés are now competing for seventh place and a spot in the Europa League.

"I know them well, and I know that they will go all-out," says Sobrino. "If there is the slightest possibility of playing in the Europa League, they are going to give everything for that. We're playing at Mestalla and we need to pick up the three points. People are anxious for us to take fourth place, we all want to play in the Champions League, and I hope there is a great atmosphere for the game and that we will be able to claim the three points."