Hugo Duro: "We have one match left, we’re ambitious and Mestalla has to be a fortress" | OneFootball

Valencia CF forward Hugo Duro was the featured guest on l’Informatiu on VCF Media Radio, where he spoke about the team’s current form, the upcoming match against FC Barcelona, and the importance of the support at Mestalla Stadium.

Upcoming match against FC Barcelona

“It has been a very difficult season for everyone — players, fans… To reach the final matchday with the opportunity to qualify for Europe means we have to give everything and make the most of it.”

UEFA Conference League qualifying hopes

“The most important thing is to focus on ourselves, beat Barça, and then wait for the other results so we can hopefully celebrate together.”

The strength of Mestalla

“I’ve been here for several years now, and when you play at Mestalla and the fans push with every play, it gives you an extra boost that we also need to take advantage of. The encouragement they give us helps a lot, and they influence the match more than they think.”

Ending the season at home

“It’s been years since we finished the season at Mestalla. Next year will be the last one here, and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League playoffs would be a great reward. Everything has lined up to give us this opportunity, and we have to go all out to get the win.”

Ambition and possible European qualification

“All year we’ve tried to send the message that, as a team, fans, and club, we must transmit ambition from the very beginning because this is a huge club with high expectations, and that’s something we must demand from ourselves. The match is going to be beautiful.”

Victory against Real Sociedad at Anoeta

“We also won at San Mamés and drew against Rayo. In five years, I hadn’t won in any of those stadiums. We have one game left, and we have huge ambition and maximum confidence.”

Going for FC Barcelona

“This is football. Last year we won at the Bernabéu. For us, this is a final, and we have to show that on the pitch. That has to be the team’s mentality — go all out and fight for the win. We have the big reward of potentially qualifying for Europe. Mestalla has to be a cauldron, like it was against Rayo, which was incredible.”

Previous matches against FC Barcelona

“You can’t live in the past. You have to remember those matches in order to improve, but with confidence to win and calmness — while also going in with the knife between your teeth.”

Goals in big moments

“When you think about the season, it’s been inconsistent but, above all, tough. Mentally it’s been a roller coaster because of how competitive LaLiga has been. Being able to play a match calmly while competing for such a beautiful reward is special.”

Valencia CF’s Top 25 scorers in LaLiga

“They’re just statistics, but they make me very happy. Especially because I’ve achieved it at a club like Valencia CF and because of the connection I have with everyone here. It makes me proud, but I want more. Hopefully being in the top 25 will feel like too little in a few years, and people will remember me not only as a player, but also as a person.”

Maturity

“I like to appreciate what I have and learn a lot. I’ve managed to do that. Mentally, I made a change and I always push myself to improve. I’ve shown that I can score at least ten goals per season, and now it’s time to raise the average. I’m ambitious, but also self-critical. I know how much I can help the team. I enjoy football, but also helping the people around me. Knowing where I am, that’s the minimum I should do.”