Gayà: “We have to go all-out in every competition"

José Luis Gayà was the player chosen to talk to the media before Valencia CF's UEFA Europa League meeting with FC Krasnodar, and the fullback expressed the need to put their Copa del Rey success behind them and focus fully on the European challenge ahead.

We have to forget about it. We are all excited about having reached the Copa del Rey final, but now we have to concentrate on the next game and try to take a favourable to Russia. After tomorrow, we'll return our focus to LaLiga, which is the most important competition and gives us the chance to play Champions League football. We have to separate each competition and go all-out in every one of them."

Giving the lowdown on Thursday's opponents, the Spaniard said that "They are second in their league and knocked Bayer Leverkusen out in the previous round. It won't be an easy tie, and keeping a clean sheet in the first leg would be a big step."

"The start of our season wasn't very good, and now we are in our best form of the season. We've gone eleven games without a defeat, with a defensive solidity that is very good. It hasn't been a coincidence; it's down to hard work everyday. Everything has changed and that's thanks to us working hard and never stopping believing."

Asked about his own form, Gayà commented that "I feel very good. Having a good preseason was the key. I've been here for many years, I'm one of the captains now, and I try to show my teammates what I'm like. I'm a natural person who works hard."