Funes: “It has taken us a huge effort to get here, and we’re going to fight until the end”
The Blue and White coach spoke after the match in the #MálagaCastellón post-game press conference. “Defeats always hurt, but this one has to hurt just enough. It’s time to get back up with more strength than ever,” he said.
Competitive match
“We saw two different halves. In the first half we were superior and we failed to take the chance to go in ahead at halftime. Their change after the break was very decisive. We noticed it in the first minutes, but we didn’t want to give up the two strikers; the idea was to stay compact through the middle. Then their second goal came, and that may have been the key moment. We went through some difficult minutes, and in the final stretch we were a bit better, pushing with that sense of a comeback, and we had chances to equalise the match. From the 45th to the 70th minute they were better and they took the game.”
The team will bounce back and fight until the end
“Defeats always hurt, but this one has to hurt just enough. It has taken us a huge effort to get here, and we’re going to fight until the end. I’ve had to juggle a lot to experience a day like today. We are not going to throw in the towel. It’s tough, yes, but we recorded the best attendance of the season in the Second Division, and not being able to give that victory to the fans is what hurts the most. We’re going to keep going, because of everything that has brought us here. We have to think about continuing to play well, giving everything, always being able to push forward. It’s not an easy moment, but more than ever we have to stay united to enjoy these last five matches. How much we would have wanted to be in this position back in November. We’re going to go for the remaining games, we won’t give up. Adversity comes, and all teams go through difficult moments. It’s time to get back up with more strength than ever so that people feel proud in Eibar.”
Learning and keep working
“We are all really disappointed. And we weren’t able to give the people back all the affection they showed us. We know that this excitement can turn into disappointment, it’s inevitable, but only until tomorrow. Tomorrow we will train, come together, and keep pushing forward. It’s important to go through this together and think that what is coming is very beautiful. We have to focus on what we are going to do to make things go well. It’s normal to go through moments like this, but we won’t be down on the ground beyond tomorrow.”
Fans – 10 out of 10
“In other circumstances, without everyone being united, we would be in a very different situation. The fans have given us so much, so much support, and they are going to keep giving us that support. It’s incredible.”
Spectacular atmosphere
“It concerns me. At the beginning there wasn’t any buzz or momentum. And I said that from within we have to build that up. That means going to Eibar to win the match. Away from home it’s extremely difficult, and building that feeling depends on us. We can change things. We have to support each other and be closer than ever, especially against the most in-form team in the league. And we have to face it. We’ve done it before, we know we can, there’s not much more to it.”
Two strikers
“It’s not the first time they’ve played together. It was important for one to pin the defence while the other attacked the space in behind. It cost us a little bit. It’s a structure we like to use to finish matches. We also chose it against Las Palmas and it worked well because we won. You also have to question things when you win, and today, when we lose, the same applies.”