Spain coach Moreno grateful for Valencia CF's academy commitment

Spanish national team coach Robert Moreno visited Mestalla for the bwin Trofeo Naranja on Saturday night, in one of his first appearances since being promoted from assistant to take over from Luis Enrique. He talked to VCF Media after the game, and was full of positive words for the club's commitment to young domestic talent.

"It's a luxury to have clubs like Valencia CF, who are so dedicated to their academy and who make sure that their young players get opportunities. I think it's a challenge that big clubs like Valencia CF should have, to field players from their youth system, because they are the ones who really have passion for the club and can understand what the fans feel. The national team are delighted to have players from Valencia CF, and from other clubs, who help us to achieve success," he opined after watching players like Carlos Soler perform well in the trophy game.

"As national team coaches, there isn't much that we can do. The only thing that we can do is pick players, so it's great to have academies that take care of young players and provide them with good treatment and good coaches, who bring them through when they are ready to play against senior players so that they continue to improve. It's a luxury as a national team coach to have these youth systems -at Valencia CF and at other clubs- which win us trophies."

"It's almost as if the internationals haven't been on holiday, as they are continuing with the dynamic of the European Championships. It's exceptional, and I'm sure that Marcelino is delighted that there is competition and that the young players are pushing the established players. Carlos Soler has had two good seasons and scored today in a great performance."