Baraja: “It is an honour that Mexico have invited us to play this match” | OneFootball

Valencia CF coach, Rubén Baraja, appeared in a press conference before the friendly match with the Mexico national team at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla.

The match

"It is an honour that the Mexico national team have invited us to play this match. Coming here is a situation that we liked the sound of, which gives us the possibility of playing against Mexico here, at their home. For us, it is about continuing to try to compete, improving the things that we have to improve. It can also serve for us to look players who have been playing less and we must try to have a good match and compete tomorrow.”

The start of the season

“Generally, when there is a bad start to a season or the team haven’t begun by taking the points that everyone expects, you are always exposed to the opinion that the team can improve. We are in that process of wanting to improve, to change things and for the players to lift their spirits, which always happens when you do not start well; the players are at a little less than the level they usually are. We are not satisfied with the start, but we are convinced that we can change the dynamic of the competition and this match has to be used to work, so that players who have been playing less have their opportunity as well, and to enjoy this match -because it is not a regular thing for a club to play against a national team.”

Playing against Mexico

“We won’t find many differences to a normal game. The only one is that we come here off a long trip, and there is supposed to be a different altitude that could affect the match, but we are going to play against another 11 players. It is a football match. They have a formation that I think Aguirre will repeat and we will try to play a game that will help us continue to grow and seek the performance we want. We always play to win.”

Cuauhtémoc stadium

"We hope that the pitch is in good shape. They will work to make it perfect. It is not something that should be an excuse for us. We must adapt to how the field is. I don’t know if the stadiums in Mexico have higher turf or not, but we hope that tomorrow it will be in perfect condition so we can play.”

Squad call-ups

“We have brought the players that we have available because those who have not come are either injured or away with their national teams. Obviously, we have brought players from the VCF Academy to complete the squad, but it is not as if we don’t do this regularly. Valencia CF are a team that, generally, and above all, since I have been in charge, try to promote the VCF Academy and our young players. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for them, at a good venue against a great team. I am sure they will try to show what they can do, and do things as we expect.”

Javier Aguirre

“For us, he is half Spanish, even though he is Mexican. This is his third stint with the national team. He has the experience of a top-level coach and I hope he does very well, that he can achieve the stability that the Mexican national team need in terms of results and performance for the 2026 World Cup. I see him and his coaching staff as being absolutely capable of having a good World Cup. I have great affection and respect for him, because of his career, his personality, and because he is an example. It will be a pleasure to see him tomorrow.”

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