Hugo Duro: “Playing the Trofeu Taronja is a real treat, it’s exciting to play at Mestalla again” 

Hugo Duro was the protagonist on VCF Media Radio, where he shared his excitement and desire to have a great season. He spoke from the preseason training camp that Valencia CF are currently holding at the Royal Verd Training Center complex in Olot, in the province of Girona. A training camp that is helping our players build up fitness and get a feel for the pitch, both ahead of the Trofeu Taronja this Saturday, August 9, and the start of LALIGA.

Good preseason feelings 

Truth is, we’re very comfortable here. The facilities and the weather are a bit cooler than in Valencia. I really like this kind of environment. We’ve played matches that are meant to help us work and improve. In many of them, you’re affected by the physical workload, you’re not fresh for the matches, but that’s what preseason is for, to get your legs ready for what’s coming. We have to work on tactical aspects so we’re in the best possible shape for the first game.

First preseason games

You’re left with the feeling that you would’ve liked to win a game, but we know that preseason games are often more about physical work than tactics. But what’s coming next is totally different. We want to win the Trofeu Taronja and start LALIGA on the right foot. The hard work is already done, and now it’s time for the good part.

Good work in the first few weeks of training 

We did a huge amount of work in Valencia, it took a lot out of us, but that’s what this time of year is for. In the coming weeks, we’ll focus more on football — our legs are feeling better, we’re covering more ground, we’re stronger, and we’ll use the upcoming weeks to improve our football and win matches.

Desire to grow and improve as a team

The team has earned respect and we need to keep going in the same direction. Just because we had a good second half of the season doesn’t mean we’re going to win everything. This is built through effort and humility, and if we keep the same work rate and humility we showed in that second part of the season, things will go well. We’ll have to keep improving to win every game and finish as high as possible.

Friendly against Olympique de Marseille as a good reference point

Now we need to get into competition rhythm. On the day of the game against Olympique de Marseille, the team played really well. It’s not just what the fans saw — we felt very comfortable out there. It’s a mirror to look into, because I think we played a good game against a very strong opponent who made things very difficult for us. The team responded really well.

Eager to return to Mestalla

Preseasons, for me, feel never-ending. They’re so long. Having this match on Saturday is a real treat for us, getting to play in front of our fans before LALIGA starts. Playing at Mestalla is exciting, to me, it feels like a LALIGA match. Every home game is super special.

Preseason rhythm and sensations

We need to get rhythm and good feelings, and if something goes wrong, let it be something we can learn from ahead of the match against Real Sociedad, which is the one that really matters. It might go better or worse, but it’s about taking positives from it so that everything is perfect on the 16th and we can win.

La integración de los fichajes: Agirrezabala, Copete y Raba

We have a perfect group. And they’ve really made an effort since day one. We’re honestly very happy to have them here, they want to help the team and represent this club, and the fact they’re good people too is a real delight. You could already see in the games how much they can contribute. They’re going to help us a lot, and I’m sure it’s going to be a good year for them and for the team.

His personal and professional goal for this season

My goal is to improve as a player, as a person, and as a teammate. I need to give my all to become someone important for Valencia CF, that’s what I want, to be remembered here. It really excites me when I see that same excitement in the kids’ faces. That’s priceless to me. I’m a guy who’s been working hard from the beginning, and I’ve got the chance to play here. I want to keep going and become even bigger at Valencia CF.

Message to the Valencia CF fans

There’s not much I can say to the fans, they’ve always supported us without asking for anything in return. We hope we can bring them as much joy as possible this year. Things may go better or worse on the pitch, but we’re going to give everything and fight to the end. No one should have any doubt about that.