Funes: “We’re excited and confident about what we’re doing”

Albacete Balompié, a complex rival

“It was one of the away matches that helped us turn things around. This time we have a different kind of game. In their last five matches they’ve changed their structure. They’ve switched to a five-man back line and are more solid. Alberto González’s teams play very vertically, with a high tempo when they win the ball back, and he’s managing to give the team his own identity. Not only have they achieved good results, but they’re performing well too. They’re the team with the most clean sheets in the league, with 11. They’re looking very strong, with a rock-solid organisation. From that solidity they’re continuing to grow. We have to be patient and create plenty of phases of possession. The key is for us to play at a high tempo and not lose patience. We’re expecting a very tight match, without many chances. If we’re able to get out of the first two thirds of the pitch, we’ll find something positive.”

Rival’s strength in defence

“It’s difficult for us, and it was difficult for Real Madrid as well. When a team sits deep in a low block, it’s not easy. It’s been tough for the 11 teams that haven’t managed to score against them. When you’re playing in those tight spaces, everything becomes more complicated, and it’s not the kind of match people are eager to watch. Fans prefer more open games, with two teams looking to play on the ball. People like to see shots on goal and goals. It’s complex, they’re a very well-coached team under Alberto. They’re doing very well defensively, developing certain concepts at an excellent level. We’re going to see many situations like we did against the ‘Cultu’, we have to keep believing until the end. Every minute that passes is a minute we’re wearing them down and getting closer to the ball going in. If we become impatient, it will be much more complicated.”

Confidence in day-to-day work

“It’s been a good week because of what happened there. We created more than enough chances to come away with a good result. If you look at it in perspective, the players are excited and confident in what they’re doing. Two months ago, we were close to the relegation zone if we lost. Now they see things with optimism, because what they’ve achieved hasn’t been easy. No one won away from home on the previous matchday. In the second half of the season, picking up points away is tough for everyone, it’s hard to win on the road. Our challenge has to be getting into the habit of picking up points away from home. That’s what gives you the step up in quality and the consistency in collecting points, which is what builds positive momentum. With confidence, being able to enjoy these matches with our fans is very exciting.”

Highly competitive division

“Despite losing, we had 17 shots on goal. Against ‘Cultu’ they had three shots and we had many more. Apart from CD Castellón, who are scoring more than two goals per game, it’s hard to find teams doing that. The competition is very evenly matched, it’s incredibly difficult to win matches. People know how tough the Segunda is; they’ve seen us in the relegation zone. The games are extremely demanding.”

Focused on Albacete BP

“I don’t care about anything else, on Sunday, we have only one opponent: Albacete. You might think the rival is this or that. Two months ago, people were happy because the teams at the bottom weren’t winning, and now they want the top teams not to win. It’s the same with Albacete, you see them mid-table now, but in 10 matchdays they could be fifth. Who are our rivals? There are no rivals, there is only one, Albacete. Nothing else should matter to us. A result that might seem favourable could actually be counterproductive.”

Aaron Ochoa’s renewal

“We’ve already seen his potential. We’ve seen 30 percent of it, just imagine where he could reach. David, his first season with me, was at Aaron’s age, and look where he is now. Gaining maturity and evolving leads to consistency in actions and in the game. Aaron has all the talent he shows, and if he repeats it consistently, and we’re convinced he will, we’re looking at a great player. I liked his desire to improve, bringing regularity to what he already has. The David of today is more consistent than he was five or six seasons ago. We have to use time wisely so that consolidates. David produced 30 percent of what he could in the reserve team and followed the same path. There are similarities between the two, and hopefully the same will happen with Aaron, because that would be wonderful news for us.”