Yarek: “We know France are very strong opposition, but we'll go all out to try and win the tournament”

Congratulations on qualifying for the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

Thank you very much, we are here enjoying it very much.

It was tough, but after a very competitive match against Italy, we can say that we will be in the final and Valencia CF will have two representatives.

Yes, Italy were a very tough opposition, they competed against us until the end, we had the chance to score and then we were able to stay together as a team and defend very well. In the end, 0-1 and we managed to win to be in the final.

It was a decisive goal and what a way you celebrated it.

Indeed. When I saw the ball go into the goal I could run as much as I wanted and as much as I needed to, it was as if I hadn't played any of the game, I went to celebrate like crazy.

With this victory, you earned your back on Italy, after last year's semi-final, when it wasn't possible.

Yes, last year we lost 3-2, they scored a goal in the last minutes, in 86' I think it was, from a corner kick. This year it was our turn to win after competing very well and we are very happy.

Now, against France on Sunday, the opposition you have already faced in this tournament and it won't be easy.
No, we've already played them in the group stage and we know they are a very strong opponent, but we're going to go all out to win the trophy and we're going to try to compete at the top of our game.

We've been saying that both you and Raúl Jiménez are first-team players and two important men for the Spanish national team. I don't know if you feel you are one of the leaders of the national team.

Well, in the end, I know a lot of people from previous cycles and older people, who have been there for many years like me. It's always up to us centre-backs to command and order a bit more.

Raúl Jiménez is one of the youngest of this generation, but he's been a regular in the team and he's also putting in good performances between the sticks.
Yes, he's playing and he's also showing a very high level, that's why he's playing everything and we hope he continues like that.
And you, as well as defending, are scoring goals, which has always been your trademark.
Yes, indeed, last year I scored a goal and this year I scored another.

In the semi-finals you won, you kept a clean sheet and you both showed that you are a great Valencia CF tandem.

Yes, at the end of the day, apart from scoring a goal, the important thing for us is not conceding. It's clear that this is a merit of the whole team, but Raúl is making very good saves, the other day he saved us from a few goals. We are doing very well.

You're both having a great U19 European Championship and collectively we're a great unit with your coach José Lana at the helm.

That's one of our qualities, to be very united, to be a great unit and you can see that on the pitch.
And you also have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Hugo Guillamón, who also won this trophy in 2019.
Yes, that's right, just the other day I was reading the social networks and I saw that they also won it.

In Polinyà del Xúquer they tell me that they are already preparing to live the final in a special way...
Yes, it is a small town of 2,000 inhabitants and I am lucky enough to play in the final, it is always nice to know, that you have the support of your people.
Obviously, you are now very focused on what lies ahead, which is very nice, but you will be keeping an eye on Valencia CF's pre-season.

Yes, I've watched the two games the team has played so far in pre-season against CD Castellón and Deportivo Alavés. The other day I wanted to put it on I didn't know how to follow it, my mum told me that it was on YouTube so I put it on.

Enjoy the final and the important thing right now is that you come back with the U19 European Championship medal.

Exactly, that's what's important and what I'm focused on now. Thank you very much.

Fotos: Selección Española de Fútbol.