Important match and tough rival
“It has been an important and very positive week in terms of recovering players. Sporting is a team that, in the final stretch of the season, has not been able to stay in the race for promotion. Regarding the news about Borja, who will not continue, I think the important thing is to focus on what we are capable of doing in this match.”
Whole team fully focused
“It’s difficult for a player, facing important matches, to even think about relaxing. We have to stay very concentrated. Sporting is a great team with very good players, and we need to deal with an opponent that will make things difficult for us. We already know what the Second Division is like, and Sporting has a strong core of players and an excellent squad within the competition. We have to compete with respect and within the context of how evenly matched this league is.”
Everyone pulling in the same direction
“There’s one aspect we focus on heavily, and that’s the next match. It’s essential to maintain that mindset. There’s a huge challenge, not only for the players, but also for those of us around them, to live up to what they are doing. They are getting people excited and taking us to a thrilling level of football; the challenge is to be able to live up to it. We must focus on how well they are doing things so they feel even stronger, and so our fans continue to feel excited in every game. We need to be aware of what each of us does during the week so that, on matchday, our supporters feel proud of us. Not waiting for success to happen, but being able to say, ‘I played my part’ in making it happen. And to keep enjoying that.”
The victory at El Molinón
“We showed that we could play in different ways. It was a very exciting match, El Molinón had a fantastic crowd, and it felt like a top-flight game. We know that kind of atmosphere can be recreated here, at home with our fans, with two squads that have a lot of quality in this competition.”
Every player contributes
“The performances of the players coming on in the second half, making an impact in matches, have given us the opportunity to be where we are now.
Even those who haven’t featured in games have maintained a very high level and have not allowed the others to relax. The fact that different players have stepped up to change matches shows that we are a team with contributions from many players.”
A top quality forward line
“Adri’s talent and quality are beyond doubt. Because of everything we build during the first two-thirds of the match, the players who come on later can benefit from that work. Adri, Chupe, and Eneko can all do a great job; things happen because we have outstanding players. The three strikers we have are fantastic, and that gives us the opportunity to fight for ambitious goals. The same applies to other positions as well. It’s no coincidence, thanks to these great players, we are able to produce great performances.”
For and because of the fans
“Everything we do is so our fans can enjoy it. We have to focus on making everything go well for one final objective: for the supporters to enjoy the matches. You shouldn’t ask things from the fans, you have to give to them. We are enjoying this journey, and that is our path.”
