Marcelino: "We have an extraordinary squad that want to keep growing"

Hours before Valencia CF return to Mestalla for the bwin Trofeo Naranja, Marcelino spoke to journalists in a press conference at the Ciudad Deportiva Media Centre.

The bwin Trofeo Naranja
"I have an extraordinary squad that want to keep growing, that are absolutely united, and are strengthened by what they have achieved over the past two years -especially last year. There is no doubt that returning to Mestalla for the first time since the cup celebrations with our fans, after having beaten Barça in the final, after 11 years without a trophy, is going to bring all of that flooding back for all of us. I'm convinced -as I think everyone who experienced it is- that we'll never forget it.

"We ask that the fans support us. It's going to be a very difficult season, because our objectives are very tough to achieve. I'd say that we practically reached our ceiling last season, and it will be a very hard season to beat. Our intention is to repeat it, with the excitement and ambition that we have.

"We are going to start a new season that will be very tough, but at the same time we ask that the fans get behind their team and give us their support; I'm sure that it is going to be very necessary. It's also been shown that when the team and the fans are united, achieving our objectives is more of a possibility."

Pending arrivals
"We will try to reach an agreement based on a complete consensus, which is the foundation of the work that we've carried out from the start. It is the mechanism that has allowed us to grow, reach agreements to strengthen this squad. The group is already very good, but we need to strengthen a few positions with the objectives that we have in mind. We need at least three players to complete the squad: A centre back, a left back and an attacking player.

Delays
"We are still working to round off the squad, based on a consensus and in accordance with our stability plan. We are looking for solutions to complete what works well, and try to improve what we believe to be improvable. We will continue working intensely, as we always have, agreeing what this great squad needs."

Happiness
"I'm happy here. I've had some very important moments in my career here. There are situations that surprise me and leave me less happy, but that happens to everybody. For me, the challenge is exciting and I enjoy it. I'm very grateful to the squad, the people with whom I work and the fans."