FC St. Gallen, Valencia CF's next opponents in preseason, have a VCF Academy product in their ranks. Víctor Ruiz has become a mainstay for the Swiss team, and will face some of his former teammates in the Wednesday evening game. He spoke to VCF Media ahead of the friendly.

A Valencianista at heart

"It's always special to play against teams from Spain, and even more so if it's the club you're a fan of -and one where you've spent so much time. I was at the club for 13 years. I know Ventura, and have done since I was 4 years old and I entered the academy. I have very good memories from there. Valencia CF are my team and it brings back good memories reuniting with them after a long time.”

 
Old teammates

“I think that the good thing that football gives you is that you can become close with your teammates. Especially when you are little, you enjoy everything more. For me, it is a joy to be able to see each other after so long and talk about how things are going.”

Changes at Valencia CF

“When time permits, I always watch Valencia CF matches. It seems that the team have changed with the new coach, and the signings also seem to be responding well."
 
Preparation for the match

“My team know about Valencia CF. I've been here four years now and they know that Valencia CF are my team. Every weekend we talk about football. Some watched the game against Borussia Dortmund, and said that they were a very good side that they liked a lot. I have my team in Spain, which is Valencia, but I also have my team here in Switzerland and I am going to try to give everything for them.”
 

St Gallen's style of play

“At St. Gallen we are a team of young players with a great desire to progress and reach the top. We have a base that has been in place for 3-4 years, with the same coach and many players who have stayed here. We like to have the ball and also press up high to try to take advantage of the opponent's weaknesses. It hasn't gone bad for us. In the last three years we have been runners-up in the league and cup runners-up twice. We will try to do damage and create as many chances as possible.”

“St. Gallen are a humble team in the Swiss league. We are young players who want to continue doing what we have done for the last 3 years, and the goal we set for ourselves is to try to improve every year. We want to stop finishing runners-up and try to win a trophy.”

An historic club

“St. Gallen are one of the oldest teams in Europe, and it shows with the fans. People get behind the team and that's very nice."

Confidence in Valencia CF

“Valencia have very good players and I'm sure they can have a very good season and achieve their goals. Let's hope that, for everyone's sake, everything continues as it has started and they have a good season."

“I haven't talked about asking anyone for their shirt, but I suppose that it will happen. I have a very good relationship with Lato, Soler and Gayà, so I don't have to choose anyone in particular. For me, the three of them are very good people and any shirt will be a nice souvenir.”