The Madrid-born midfielder spoke to the media in a press conference after #MálagaAlmería. “This week will do us good; we’ll approach it with motivation and confidence,” he said.
Opportunity
“We’ve got a great opportunity. It’s just one game, and anything can happen. This week will do us good, and we’re approaching it with calmness, motivation, and confidence.”
0-0
“It was a close match with a lot at stake for both sides. You could feel that there was a bit of fear of losing on both teams. The tie is still wide open, and we’ll go after it with real determination.”
Further analysis
“We’re starting to normalise things that aren’t actually normal. You can draw with Almería, a team built for promotion with very high-level players. But I’m convinced we have the tools to beat them at their ground.”
Personal
“I’m fine. My strength is being involved all over the pitch and not stopping. Maybe today I felt a bit less fresh in my legs when we had the ball, but the good thing is we’ve got a week to recover, which will give us plenty of time to be in the best possible shape.”
Season
“This season has been really beautiful. I came here with the intention of regaining my excitement and reconnecting with football, and I’m achieving that. I’ve taken a step forward and I see I still have a lot of room to improve. I’m grateful to the club and to the Málaga fans for what they’re giving me, and I’m very happy here.”
Away from home
“We’ve proven it, we’re not backing down when we play away from home. It’s just another match, the pitch is the same, the grass and the ball too, and we have enough personality to score a goal against Almería and stop them from scoring.”
Fans
“They’re showing every day how much they believe in us and in this promotion, and we’re very grateful for that. We’re going to give everything, as in every match. We have their trust, and we’re going there with nothing to lose.”
High level, reality and conviction
“Sometimes, when you’re at such a high level, it seems like it’s going to be easy. But the reality is that these are very tight football matches, and we have a clear example that everything can change in the last minute. This group has lived through that, and they have that extra edge in the final minutes, which I think will help us. I think it will work out well, I’m convinced.”