The Malaguista coach spoke at the post-match press conference following the game against UD Las Palmas. “What makes me happiest is how La Rosaleda has lifted us, keeping the faith right until the final whistle. Let’s enjoy the present moment, because it’s laying the foundations for something very strong.”
A great tie
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We took a very hard blow right at the start, and that gives even greater value to the performance. The statistics show that we were the better side. But I want to congratulate UD Las Palmas. It’s admirable to see a team stay true to its playing philosophy and be able to neutralise us. We found it very difficult to read them and create the runs needed to exploit the spaces. Congratulations to them, because they made this tie extremely difficult for us.”
La Rosaleda was key
“How quickly they grow up… It’s been spectacular. What makes me happiest is how La Rosaleda has lifted us, keeping the faith right until the final whistle. That gave us the chance to gradually settle down and make better adjustments so that everything would work out. We didn’t want extra time, so we decided to go with two strikers to level the match, and then score the goal that would take us through the tie.”
Reliving a magical day
“The rhythm of the game wasn’t easy, we wanted it to be played at a different tempo. Today, when we weren’t given the opportunity to impose that rhythm, the team stayed calm and continued competing well. In the second half, in line with what we’ve been doing up to now, the most important thing was to equalise and experience something truly special. Malaguistas have earned the chance to experience that again. The stadium has to be a celebration once more, and we have to enjoy another one.”
Proud of the Malaguista spirit
“I’m very proud to see so many people enjoying this so much. What will remain forever in our memories is how we’ve continued to grow and multiply. Today was a perfect illustration of everything I’ve been talking about. It was wonderful to see all the schoolchildren wearing Málaga shirts, with blue and white as their banner. Let’s enjoy the present moment, because it’s laying the foundations for something very strong. It all started with that promotion-winning goal in the 122nd minute, and what is being created now for the future is something very important.”
The importance of staying calm
“The most important thing was to convey calmness, and to adjust a few things, especially in the final third. We had to avoid any sense of desperation, and not give the opponent the chance to sense that. From a place of calm, we were going to make better decisions. It’s not just about asking them to do things, but about them having the courage to take initiative, and today, once again, that’s what happened.”
On to the final
“We’ve already experienced and seen this format before. You have to manage the matches well. A 0-0 in the 90th minute of the second leg doesn’t eliminate you. You have to think that there could be extra time, and that it’s a very long period, so you need to stay calm. We saw it against CD Castellón and UD Almería, a team that, when it hits you, hits you very hard. We’ve also been able to hurt them, and we’re convinced we’re going to have a good tie.”