Valencia opens training to press for 15 minutes after three years

Valencia opened its training session to the press on Thursday for the first 15 minutes, three years after the last time. The move comes alongside the arrival of sporting director Braulio Vázquez and coach Javier Aguirre.

Around a score of journalists and photographers were at José Manuel Ochotorena to watch the start of the work. Aguirre focused on the goalkeeper drills, while the rest of the group did activation exercises, including rondos, in what the report describes as a good atmosphere.

Luis Rioja—who has been dealing with issues around the heel/calcaneus and the plantar fat area—and central defender José Copete, returning after seven months out with a meniscus injury in his left knee, both trained with the main group at the same pace. Sadiq Umar (right hamstring) and Dimitri Foulquier (left knee problems since February) did not take the pitch with the others.

The team will train one last time on Friday, pending the evolution of Rioja and Copete, before Saturday’s game against Athletic Club at Mestalla, where Aguirre will make his home debut after his first appearance at El Sardinero, as Mundo Deportivo reports.