Funes: “We are on the path to enjoying and working each match as it deserves”
The Malaguista coach spoke to the press after the match at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes. “I want to thank our fans, because they were wonderful, pushing us throughout the entire match with such strength,” he said to the media.
Demanding rival
“I think many things had to come together for everything to go well. Congratulations to Granada CF, who today showed why they were the team that had gone the longest without losing at home in the competition. Their first half was excellent: they didn’t allow us to play, we couldn’t find our rhythm, and they constantly forced us into mistakes.”
“It’s true that in the second half the dynamic was different. They paid for the effort they made in the first half, because it was very difficult to maintain that intensity throughout the entire match, and that’s when the game swung in our favour.”
Review of the derby
“I think there were two very different halves. In the first, they impressed me, they pressed very well, going man-to-man, forcing mistakes, and did an outstanding job. The second half was different, it became harder for them to keep up the pace, and a trend emerged where we could dominate them, while they struggled more to get out. I think we were not accurate in that final third, in those last passes.”
“This is a derby, with lots of emotions, with two teams that gave everything on the pitch. Sometimes the emotion lies in that, in the energy put in, and when there is so much intensity, it is not easy for clear-cut chances to appear.”
“I want to thank our fans, because they were wonderful, practically pushing the team throughout the entire match with such strength. As I’ve said, it was a football celebration, with an atmosphere worthy of a derby.”
Good dynamic
“What’s important is that the team keeps competing well, that we don’t give up, and that everyone gives their best. This isn’t just my work, it’s the work of my entire coaching staff.”
Enjoying the present
“When the players are celebrating, they need to stay calm and think that tomorrow we train and must prepare very well for the next match, which will surely be very demanding, like all games in the Second Division. The fans should be allowed to feel excited, to enjoy their team, and to feel proud of it. From there, these are beautiful moments that must be enjoyed. I speak with balance and calm; that is the message I want to convey to the players, because we know how difficult this division is.”
“The fans don’t have to live worrying about what might happen, but rather enjoy what is happening. And I think today what we should enjoy is that we came to a difficult ground, we played in a wonderful atmosphere, a celebration of football, and we took the three points. There are many things to enjoy right now, rather than something that is still up in the air.”
Match by match
“We don’t talk about the playoffs or other long-term goals, because those distant objectives, when adversity appears in the short term and you can no longer reach them, end up generating frustration. And that frustration leads you to compete worse and arrive at matches in poorer condition.”
“We are on the path to enjoying and working each match as it deserves, with our minds set only on the next one. Looking a hundred days ahead isn’t worth it. We will continue to accumulate points.”
Special match in his hometown
“It was a match full of emotions. My parents spent years coming with the ambulance to watch Granada CF matches, and I used to come with them. I enjoyed it a lot, I remember that stage very fondly, Sunday after Sunday here.”
“I have family and friends here, so yes, it was a special match for me, just as it was for Carlos Puga. Before the game, I told Carlos that we had to be calmer than ever, because emotions can sometimes play tricks on you. We had to stay focused and experience it as normally as possible.”
Normalising victories
“I’m going to try to rest, because it has been a very demanding week. Now it’s time to rest and think about preparing tomorrow’s training session, which is the most important thing. In great moments, you shouldn’t get carried away, because that can distract you from what truly matters, and in bad moments, you shouldn’t get down either. We have to experience it with the greatest possible normality.”
“I told the players that it’s important to find normality in being able to win away from home. We’ve already achieved that this year, but I believe we must also try, naturally, to string victories together. That is the ambition we should have.”