“The VCF Academy has once again shown that it can compete against any academy in the world”

The Valencia CF Infantil team has been one of the main standouts at the IX LaLiga FC Futures Internacional, a U13 tournament organized by LaLiga in Orlando (USA), with the participation of several LaLiga clubs and teams from different countries across the American continent. The Valencia CF side achieved the bronze medal after completing a tournament in which they showed an outstanding level of performance, built on the philosophy of the VCF Academy.

Rubén Medina, assistant coach of the Valencia CF Infantil and coach of the team that took part in LaLiga FC Futures Internacional, spoke to VCF Media to evaluate this fantastic experience for the team.

COMPETING AT A HIGH LEVEL

“We are very happy, above all, for the experience the boys were able to have and for how they showed that they can compete against any academy in Europe and the world. We are very satisfied with their performance, how they enjoyed themselves and how they grew during the tournament.”

LEARNING IN EVERY MATCH

“Each match was a challenge, and we were able to grow in each one of them. In the knockout match against Real Madrid, in a very difficult context, losing 2-1, we managed to come back and win 2-3. In the match against Atlético de Madrid, a very physical team that played in a low block, we competed well and fought for the win. We had a great tournament.”

TOUGH GROUP STAGE

“We managed to finish first in the group, showing in each match that we controlled the contexts and that we were a winning team. It looked very difficult, but we had the reward of finishing top. Later, in the knockout rounds, anything could happen in a match, and both the quarterfinals and the semifinal were very even. In fact, we had chances to equalize against Atlético, but we couldn’t make it.”

SENTIMENT AND VALENTIA

“We once again transmitted our identity as the VCF Academy - that Valentia (bravery) - both with the ball when looking to attack and when trying to recover it as close as possible to the opponent’s goal. That’s what we tried to do, and I think we showed that bravery that defines us. During the breaks between matches, people and tournament officials acknowledged that personality. We are very happy because the boys were able to show what Valencia CF is and how that club philosophy is applied.”

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

“These players had already played other very valuable tournaments, but an experience like this - traveling to the United States, visiting Universal and Disney, the facilities… They were delighted. I think it will be an unforgettable experience for them, and they will be very happy to have lived it, but also to have been able to compete in such an important tournament.”

ANOTHER MEDAL IN LALIGA FC FUTURES

“This is the continuation of the work of many coaches at the VCF Academy, who have been with the boys since very early stages. It is the result of the work of the entire VCF Academy — the coaches, the kit staff, medical services, coordination, management… In short, of everyone who is by our side.”

COMEBACK AGAINST REAL MADRID

“The boys were very natural, they didn’t get involved in any controversy of that kind, which belongs more to the adult world and has no place in this type of youth development tournament.”

TEAM SPIRIT WITH A SPECIAL NAME

“This season, the name José has been a bit special for us. First, the delegate of VCF Juvenil B had a health issue, and a few days ago, one of the players who was supposed to travel to the tournament suffered a serious injury on Sunday. So, we wanted to pay a small tribute to the two ‘Josés,’ since we had them both in our thoughts throughout the tournament. We send them a big hug and hope to have them back with us soon.”

FOCUSED ON THE LIGA AUTONÒMICA

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