Carles Aleña and Ferran Torres: We deserve to win this Copa del Rey

The represent the futures of Barcelona and Valencia better than anyone: Carles Aleña (21) and Ferran Torres (19) spoke with SPORT after an Adidas photo session about their next big challenge, their love for the clubs, their idols and their lives away from the game. 

¿What does the Copa del Rey mean for you?

FT: It's the competition which has given me chances. It's a really good trophy and a title we're going to try and win, especially in our centenary year. I think it's worth the effort giving your all to win it. 

CA: I debuted with Barça in the Copa and also scored my first goal in the Copa. I've always said I get a lot of excitement out of this competition because it gives chances to those who don't often get as many. I'm excited to be in the final. At Barça, sometimes we think of the Copa as being easy, but it's not, not at all. Two-legged games against top division sides are never easy. 

It seems Valencia are on a high going into the final and Barça are on a downer?

FT: We are celebrating the club's centenary. Valencia deserve this cup. We have worked so hard for it.

CA: I think the team's doing well. It's not been the best few days because of what happened in the Champions League but the team has changed chip. Now we have another final ahead of us. We had a great season in La Liga, we were the best by a difference. And we are close to another double. It's as if the double is a small thing, but very few can win it. You have to appreciate it. We have been the best team this season. 

It will be your first final with the first team.

FT: For me, to player would be the maximum because I remember the last cup final Valencia won. I went to the final at the Calderon with my parents. 

In 2008 against Getafe, you were a kid…

FT: I was eight and I enjoyed it so much. If you have already experienced it as a fan, imagine what it must be like as a player if you can win it. 

CA: For me, it will be the first final with the first team and it will be amazing. I really hope I get some minutes.

What's more difficult: getting to the first team or staying there and earning your place?

CA: When you get there, you think, 'now this is definitive, now is when you can give your all and make it." At Barça, you are obliged to win everything every year. Maybe it's more demanding now, but it's also the best, it's what you always dream of. Now things are serious. You can't switch off for a second, not at Barça. 

FT: I would say it's even more exciting for me now. It's true that when you consolidate your place even more is asked from you, but I am dedicated to learning from my teammates and my coach, without pressure-.

Carles, you got injured just before you were supposed to join the first team. Did you ever think of a loan?

CA: Two weeks before the injury they told me I would be a first team player. I got injured and I had to have surgery. The club and I spoke about dropping down to the B team, although that period was difficult for me because I wasn't sure what to do. I considered my time with the B team over. But I spoke with Valverde and he told me he counted on me 100 percent, that he would wait for me to recover. It was motivation to drop down to the B team. I didn't have a problem doing it, the opposite. Thanks to those games I am in good shape: it gave me time to recover. 

Is it imporant to have patience?

CA: It's the most important word. You're used to playing in the youth teams and suddenly you're in the best team in the world. You always want to play but you know the competition and how tough it is to play. I have people like Sergi Roberto as an example, someone who has been through the process I am in. 

FT: Yes, that's the advice I have always been given: insist, insist and insist because in the end your moment will arrive. It's tough. There are difficult days, but if you persist there's more chance that your moment arrives. 

Being local to Barcelona and Valencia makes a difference?

CA: You appreciate. I live in Barcelona now but when the games end I like to go home and see my parents. It's good to disconnect.  

When you reach the first team so quickly, what happens with studying?

CA: I have two subjects left to finish college, it's been an intense year (laughs). I'm getting through it little by little. After that I would like to study Physical Education. I think it would be a good thing to not just think about football. 

FT: I have done various modules and now I am working on English. In my free time I like to be with my friends or go to the cinema, I always try to keep busy. 

It's important to have a manager who backs you. Carles, you had Luis Enrique and now Valverde...

CA: Luis Enrique will always be one of the most special coaches I had: he made me see what professional football was and gave me my debut in all competitions. I will be eternally grateful to him. He's football crazy, he lives for the game. I learned a lot tactically with him. I am also grateful to Valverde. He's a really good coach. He has another way of getting his ideas across, because he is calmer, but he also helps you understand things. 

Who are your idols?

CA: Iniesta and Xavi have been references, the best midfielders in the history of Spanish football. I always focused on them. But I hava another idol, Deco. The way he played, the way he controlled the ball, planted his feet, his character... He was a super technical player and since very young I focused on him a lot. 

FT: In my case, Villa: when I joined Valencia's academy he was the reference in the first team. I always liked how he played, the goals he scored and the idol he was for Valencia supporters. 

There's the Euro U21 and U19s this summer, neither of you will get much of a break... 

CA: In my case [U21s], there is a lot of competition and players can drop down from the senior squad. I'm really excited, although I know that this is not my generation. But I know the U21 Euros is really important. If I am not there, I will keep working hard. 

FT: Whenever I am called up for the national team, I am ready to go, of course. It's an honour to represent my country.

You've not played together, but there is one name that united you both: Abel Ruiz. You have both played with him. How do you view him as a player?

CA: He's one of those players that has something. Just the way he touched the ball makes you see that. He's really young and really promising. I think he still has to have a big year in the B team to come up to the first team, but as I said, he has something special. 

FT: He's a great friend. We've known each other since we were little and we all know his quality. It won't be long before he's at the top level. 

CA: The more players that can come through the academy the better. It's important to have youngsters making the grade and Abel's one of those. He's a pure No.9 but he can also play wide. I get on great with him and I hope to see him more often with the first team.