David Cubillo (Madrid, 1978) was one of the first to check Hugo Duro’s killer instinct, fashionable man after his double against Atlético in the discount. Cubillo opted for the forward in Getafe B, in Third. The technician gave Duro the alternative when he was just a 17-year-old kid. It took Cubillo very little to realize the attacker’s virtues. The Madrilenian stands out the ease that Hugo has for the goal, but above all his maturity and his head. From the Getafe bench, where he is an assistant to Quique Sánchez Flores, he analyzes the Valencia forward for AS.
You were one of the first to notice Hugo Duro …
I was training the Getafe affiliate, in Third. Hugo was in the Division of Honor and I followed his evolution closely. He already played with people older than him and the goals he scored were very high. I raised him to the subsidiary and he ended up being a starter in the playoff for promotion to Second B.
From what he says, he has always had a knack for scoring …
Goals have always been dropped. He has a brutal naturalness in front of the door. He does not make strange shots or shots for the squad. Many of his goals come through the center and you may think that the goalkeeper is very bad. But that is his gift, as in his day Van Nistelrooy or Makaay did. When you see forwards like this you think how easy it must be to score a goal. That virtue is very powerful.
You also lived closely with Fernando Torres’ debut at Atlético. They were companions. Does Hugo Duro remind you of the Child in something?
Fernando was more powerful, even though he was thin as a child, you could see that he was going to shoot for power. I see Hugo different, more intelligent in the uncheck. In addition, it has another virtue and that is that due to its characteristics it can also play in band. In Castilla he did well in that position.
But where would I put you? Striker or band?
I like more as a forward, close to the area. But I already tell you that he is very disciplined and generous in the effort. Therefore, you can play in band. But his opportunism in the face of the door …
Those players are worth money …
Now there is a lot of talk about managing the game, but the forcefulness in the areas makes the differences. People who move within those parameters are worth money. The goal is currently paid a lot, but now you have to be calm with Hugo and not force him to score two goals every day, as against Atlético. I see Hugo touched by that wand, but it is not the result of luck. It’s all work.
Cubillo talks with Quique, during a session at Getafe.
JAVIER GANDUL (DIARIO AS)
Apart from the goal, what extra qualities would you highlight about Hugo?
For me, the head is its main quality. He is educated, comes from an extraordinary family and has people around him who take great care of him. He’s focused, he’s a student, and he’s very disciplined. If to all that, you add the gift he has of seeing the big goal, he can go where he wants. In addition, for me he is already in a big one, like Valencia. The player who performs at a club like Valencia has a lot to win. It is not the same to arrive at First and consolidate at 21 years of age than to do it with 27 years. That says a lot about Hugo. In addition, he is a player who since you were young, when you transmitted things to him, gave you a feeling of tranquility and maturity. It appears to be ten years older than your chronological age.
Bordalás trusts him a lot …
In Valencia it will go well. In addition, Hugo always takes a good look at the steps he takes. They are always measured. Last year he took advantage of very well in Castilla to play in the first team and live experiences in a big one. He took a very important leap. You can tell that Bordalás likes it.
What anecdote does it remind you of?
I remember a lot of seeing him in the sports city of Getafe with his father and watching games in the lower categories. He was interested in all teams. It is a family that lives football a lot. I remember that they ate at the sports center and in the afternoon they stayed to continue watching games.