MATCH PREVIEW | VCF Mestalla aim for victory against Middlesbrough in the Premier League International Cup

VCF Mestalla face Middlesbrough FC this Tuesday at 8:00 pm (CET) in their second-round fixture of the Premier League International Cup, an U21 competition featuring 32 clubs (16 English teams and 16 teams from other European countries).

The match will be broadcast live on VCF Media (YouTube, the Valencia CF website and app).

The reserve team travelled to England on Monday, where they will be looking to claim victory at the Riverside Stadium this Tuesday and keep their hopes alive in this revamped Premier League International Cup. Only the top English team and the top non-English team in each group will qualify for the knockout stages.

“It’s a competition that gives us the chance to gain experience by playing against teams from outside Spain, and we’re going there with every intention of taking all three points,” says Hugo Guijarro.

The VCF Mestalla midfielder is part of the squad that has travelled to England. He recently returned to action after spending a month on the sidelines due to appendicitis.

“I was out for a month, but I’m gradually getting back up to speed. This competition is an opportunity to give your all and show the coach what we want: to play and become important members of the team,” says Guijarro, who is confident in the squad. “We have a great team and we’re convinced that we’ll start taking our chances. The goals and victories will come.”

Óscar Sánchez’s side head into this fixture following two consecutive draws in the domestic league, against Orihuela CF (1-1) and UD Castellonense (1-1). They began their Premier League International Cup campaign against West Ham in a closely contested match in which the reserve team created numerous chances and hit the woodwork three times, only for the English side to snatch victory in the closing stages.