Toni Lato: "The team showed their desire and ambition against Huesca"

Toni Lato believes he is ready to step in and help the team out this Saturday against Deportivo Alavés , in the absence of fellow fullback José Luis Gayà through suspension. The VCF Academy product has recovered from a small injury and has been training as normal over the past few days since the return from the winter break.

He spoke to VCF MEDIA Radio this Thursday in the buildup to the first game of 2019, and gave his thoughts on what he expects against the Basque side.

"It won't be easy. Alavés are showing that any side can beat any other this season. Besides that, Mendizorroza is a tough ground to play at, but we are going to go for the three points and start the year with a win to show that we are capable of being up at the top," said a determined Lato.

"It isn't just another game for us; it's a final. The team showed our ambition and desire against Huesca, and now we need to keep winning. Piccini's goal gave us a lot of confidence."

He continued by saying that "I am fully recovered from my injury, and I'm very keen to play the game against Alavés. I have to be prepared to help the team in any way I can, with the objective of getting the three points we need."

Curiously, Lato is something of a talisman for Valencia CF this season: They have won every game in which he has played.