Baraja: “It is an honor that Mexico invited us to this game”

Valencia CF coach Rubén Baraja took part in a press conference ahead of the friendly match with the Mexican national team at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla.

The game

“It is an honor that the Mexican national team invited us to this game. Coming here is a situation that we liked and that gives us the opportunity to play against Mexico here, in their home game. For us, it is. “It’s about continuing to try to stay competitive and improve the things we need to improve. It can also help us to look for players who have played less and we have to try to have a good game and be able to compete tomorrow.”

The start of the season

“In general, if a season starts badly or the team didn’t start with the points everyone expected, you always think that the team can improve. We are in this process of wanting to improve, change things and lift the players’ spirits, which always happens when you don’t start well; The players are at a slightly lower level than normal. We are not happy with the start, but we are convinced that we can change the dynamics of the competition and that this game must be used to work so that players who have played less so far have their chance and this game can enjoy – because it is not normal for a club to play against a national team.”

Plays against Mexico

“We won’t notice any major differences compared to a normal game. The only thing is that we are coming here from a long journey and there is supposed to be a different altitude that could affect the game, but we will be playing against another 11 players. It’s a football game. 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 achieve the performance we want. We always play to win.”

Cuauhtémoc Stadium

“We hope the pitch is in good condition. They will work to make it perfect. That shouldn’t be an excuse for us. We have to adapt to the nature of the pitch. I don’t know if the stadiums in Mexico have a higher pitch or not, but we hope it will be in perfect condition tomorrow so we can play.”

Squad call-ups

“We brought the players we have available because those who didn’t come are either injured or away with their national teams. Of course we brought players from the VCF Academy to complete the squad, but it’s not like we don’t do that regularly. Valencia CF is a team that in general, and especially since I have been in charge, tries to promote the VCF academy and our young players. Tomorrow is a good opportunity for them, in a good place against a great team. I’m sure they will try to show what they can do and do things the way we expect.”

Javier Aguirre

“For us he is half Spanish even though he is Mexican. This is his third appearance for the national team. He has the experience of a top coach and I hope that he does very well, that he can achieve the stability that the Mexican national team needs in terms of results and performance for the 2026 World Cup. I think he and his coaching team are absolutely capable of playing a good World Cup. I have great affection and respect for him because of his career, his personality and because he is a role model. It will be a pleasure to see him tomorrow.”