Funes: “I congratulate the players for their conviction and believing in the idea”

#AlbaceteBPMálaga match review

“It was a first half similar to the Valladolid match. We worked through the game and managed to overcome that goal. I want to congratulate the players for their conviction and thank them for believing in the idea. It’s easy to believe when everything is going well. But when you find yourself behind again, they trusted in what we want to do, followed it to the letter, didn’t rush, and had a clear understanding of how we could dominate the game and gain a real advantage. We’re very happy. We may have lacked some depth in the final third during the first half, but we created good opportunities for the second half. I remember our great Antonio Benítez, who always used to say that we had to finish matches with at least 12 shots. This is one of those matches where we ended with 12 shots or more, which is a very important aspect that has to become part of our identity. He used to say it was quite simple. If each winger shoots twice, the forwards each take three shots, and the central midfielders add a few more, we’ll always reach 12. I thought of this because of the goals contributed by David and Dani. We have to be clear that not all the responsibility for scoring should fall on the forwards, our second line has to add goals, and today they did. They have the talent and quality to score, and we know they will score more. We also know how difficult it is to win in Segunda, against a strong Albacete that is incredibly vertical whenever they regain the ball and can do a lot of damage. Our players performed at a very high level.”

Chupe’s goal

“We’ve known each other for a long time. This doesn’t come from one day, with Chupe, I’ve experienced many moments. I have complete confidence in what he does. Today I told them that it’s important for this team to have very good starters and also great substitutes, because sometimes the substitutes turn into key players and affect the starters. Sometimes it will be one group, sometimes another. The contribution of those who came on was magnificent, it’s not easy to come into matches for many reasons, but mentally today they showed great strength and took that step forward that they need to give us. These victories are very reinforcing because when many players participate, it strengthens the group.”

Second half changes

“We try to find continuity with the ball, and that exposes the opponents. Taking that risk isn’t always easy, there will be moments in the competition when it will be difficult for us. Sometimes people don’t understand a ball that’s 35-40 metres from the rival’s goal and ends up with the goalkeeper. We’re actually preparing for the second half and pushing them to make big efforts that can’t be sustained for an entire match. Persisting in that idea when you’re behind is difficult, and I want to highlight the first half. Maybe there wasn’t as much depth or activity in the final third as in the second half, but we weren’t idle, we were working the game. We were living it and doing things well with the ball. When we haven’t been able to find continuity, it’s because Albacete did things well, and we pushed them to make a huge effort. We’ll experience these situations in more matches. That part, which is less visible and less glamorous, is very important for us because it’s where everything that comes afterward is being built. That’s where we need to remain calm.”

Four points from six away from home

“It’s embodied in their belief and ability to do it, and that’s why they’ve done it. For us, there’s a very important part: our incredible fans. Coming here to Albacete and having so many follow and support you is an extra boost we have. We have to give from within, it excites me a lot because you see people giving their all, supporting the team, and then the team rewards them, which is great news, because it lifts them up to keep pushing. We all know that a cheering fan is like the 12^th player, they come to enjoy their team and leave satisfied. Their support is a differentiating factor in this league, as we’ve seen at La Rosaleda. It gives us great joy because sometimes you leave with a pang of worry, thinking about the long journey back without a reward. That all the brave ones who came today can return home enjoying it was only fair to give back to them. They know that, on the pitch, we play with an extra player thanks to their support.”

Jauregi, new to the starting-11

“Some of today’s great substitutes are going to become great starters. The starting-11 isn’t permanent, and it will be very important that players coming out of the line-up perform well. We arrived in a difficult situation, and implementing the idea of what we want and establishing certain synergies in the game is much easier through repetition. Stability and repetition help concepts settle, which makes everything easier. In these five matches, everyone has been a starter, and they have to maintain the standard. When it’s their turn, be great starters, and when not, be great substitutes. This won’t be the starting-11 for the entire second half of the season, many of those who were on the bench today and others who didn’t travel will become key starters, I’m convinced of that.”

Tactical approach against a familiar coach

“Alberto González knows me well, and I know him too. I’m aware of his strength in the wide channels and how he constantly looks to play the ball out vertically. That’s why, with a lead, we wanted to make ourselves strong on the left flank by bringing in a fullback and doubling up to provide extra support for Víctor, so he wouldn’t be so exposed. Joaquín was exhausted, so we replaced him with Ochoa. The game dynamics with the advantage in our favour led us to make those decisions. Both central midfielders performed well, and we took Carlos off the pitch after he spent more time in the initial pressing to bring Ochoa inside and double up the fullbacks. In the final stretch of the match, the idea was to do it with Jokin or with Murillo’s more defensive profile, who also gave us that extra advantage on set pieces. We opted for that central defender–fullback profile to defend the channel well. We needed to close the door properly because we knew it would be one of the situations where we might suffer toward the end of the match.”

Balance and exemplary fans

“Last week we couldn’t let ourselves be a downward rollercoaster, and this week we can’t become an upward rollercoaster either. We need to convey a sense of stability, which helps us ensure that great moments don’t lead to complacency, and that in the most difficult moments we don’t end up hurting ourselves. This part is very important, and I tell people to come and enjoy their team. We want to keep giving from within, and we know we’re 12 pushing together with them. What sets Málaga apart in the Second Division is having a First Division-level fanbase. Many top-tier teams would love to have our fans, it’s one of our greatest assets. What gives me joy is that we provide them with reasons to enjoy themselves and keep supporting us, because we know they are fundamental.”