Málaga CF’s latest four signings were accompanied at their presentation to the media by Manolo Gaspar. “We welcome them all and thank them for their efforts to be here. Let’s hope injuries are respectful and we meet the Club’s objectives,” said the Sporting Director, who was cautiously enthusiastic ahead of the 22/23 project: “I love that excitement, but it’s something that needs to be done little by little. There are more than 13,000 season ticket holders and it’s great to generate such an important objective, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”
Esteban Burgos
The Argentinean defender with a European passport spoke about how easy it was to opt for MCF. “It wasn’t a difficult negotiation. When you see the willingness it’s very gratifying. We’re building something beautiful, based on the responsibility that comes with wearing this jersey.”
In regard to his fellow countryman and his new coach, Pablo Guede, Burgos said that “he has already started to mark the way we play and how he wants things done. It's going to be an intense season and you have to know what this institution demands. It’s all in the preparation.”
His experience in LaLiga SmartBank is a guarantee. “The Second Division is a very tough category. Last year we lost promotion in four minutes (with Eibar). If you have a leading team and with this DNA, you see something beautiful being created, it changes the situation.”
“Earning the love of the fans depends on the work we do each day and ensuring it’s conveyed on the pitch,” he added.
Rubén Yáñez
The goalkeeper spoke about his arrival in Málaga: “Both sides made the effort. We’re adapting. I’m very proud to be at a Club with this history. We’re going to try to make it a good year.”
The new number ‘13’ will have Manolo Reina as a colleague. “Competition is healthy, it’s good for us both and for the team. We have the common goal of competing to help the team achieve the goals set by the Club.”
In regard to Guede, “he has a very clear idea, we’re adapting, and everything is going to flow well. We have a clear system which we need to implement in the competition. If we work hard on it, everything will turn out great,” he said.
“There are very few like the Málaga fans and they’re really going to help us. Seeing the stands full, the fans cheering us on, it’ll help us so much,” said Yáñez who considers that “when great things are achieved it’s because there’s a good group. It’s key to accomplishing our goals.”
Jonás Ramalho
The versatile defender explained that “when Manolo Gaspar contacted us, he presented a very interesting project. It’s such a motivation to come to a Club as historic as Málaga. A good group is being formed, we’ve been welcomed with open arms and I’m certain everything will go well.”
“The coach is conveying the intensity he wants in every match and training session. He’s explained what he requires of us, he’s very clear about that. We know perfectly well what we need to do and we’re improving little by little,” he said about Guede.
Regarding his position on the pitch, he said: “Since I was young I’ve played as a central defender, it’s where I give my best performance and where I feel most comfortable. I’ve also played on the wing quite a lot too. I have no problem, the important thing is playing and helping the team as much as possible. Yet I feel more of a central defender than a winger,” he commented.
Ramalho knows the power of La Rosaleda. “The times I’ve come here I’ve suffered. A spectacular ground with amazing fans, and we must take advantage of that. Together we can achieve something beautiful. We have to motivate the fans and give our all to make them happy.”
Álex Gallar
The forward said: “I was really keen to join the project.” Coming from Cartagena, he knows Rubén Castro very well: “The group, Rubén and I have very fixed ideas. We can form a strong society with competition upfront which will help us to improve and encourage the team. If Rubén scores fewer goals and we improve our stats from Cartagena, then all the better.”
“Caution is good, but the goal is to win every match. There’s no need to set a ceiling,” said Gallar, who defined La Rosaleda as “a very favourable factor for us, and we have to make the most of it. We must give a lot more than rivals give us. It could be a definitive factor.”
Finally, Álex said that “you can feel important in any role. The main thing is to score points. Those on the inside can win a match, but it’s the team that achieves the objectives.”
