After his first game of preseason following his Under-21s European Championships success with Spain, Carlos Soler talked about the summer so far and what lies ahead.
Returning to action
"I was raring to go here. I'd spent just over a week training with the team. In the end, this inactivity takes its toll a little -my teammates have spent a bit longer training- but I'm very happy to have picked up some minutes. Every game I'll be adding more and more minutes in order to get in full shape."
A busy summer
"I've had a pretty busy summer, winning the Copa del Rey with the team and then having the good fortune to win the Under-21s European Championships as well. I had a few days holiday afterwards to rest, but there's no stopping: We've got the Trofeo Naranja coming up and then the league season starts. In two days' time we have another game, and we have to prepare for it as best we can."
The match
"Preseason is for correcting small details that might be working out badly. Today we conceded a goal from a penalty and another from a set piece. Brighton had some tall players and a lot of intensity. It comes in handy for LaLiga games that are similar. We've got two games before the season starts and are very keen to play again on Sunday -and then the Trofeo Naranja in front of our fans. I'm sure that they are going to get behind us as always, so we'll be preparing for that and for the start of the league season."
New challenges
"We achieved some very good things last season, qualifying for the Champions League -which is the goal for the club every season- and winning the Copa del Rey. This year it's going to be nice defending the cup, and we also have the Supercopa to play. We're going to take things step by step."
The VCF Academy
"It's been a very good summer for the VCF Academy: The Spain Under-21s won the European Championships and the Under-19s as well. Kang In also had a very good tournament in the World Cup. Very good players have always come out of Paterna, and gradually more and more players will come through from there. You can see that some good work is being done, which is going to continue."
Source: Valencia CF /