Joaquín’s statements:
Physical status
“Good, little by little I’m getting into the swing of things without any bother. It was what I was hoping for – to feel good and get back on form. Personally, it was good for me – Bilbao – to start getting the spark back.”
Games at home and away
“Away from home we’re not winning, but we’re two points from Champions. The League is very tight, both above and below, and if we get ahead in this next home match we can be back in the European zone. Every game for us has to be like the last chance; it’s right within reach. There are many teams who are the same as us, except for Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, who are way out in front. We’re strong at home and that’s what we have to do – win on Saturday and then see if we can link it to the next away game.”
Zaragoza-Betis, yesterday
“I saw it; Betis were far the superior side. We know that Zaragoza aren’t having their best moment, they’re last and the longer they’re there the worse they’re doing; even so we need to go out focused and at 200 per cent, because even though Zaragoza are way down they can still beat you, and you can’t rule anything out.”
Goal chances
“I would worry more if we weren’t creating them. The team play, create opportunities, and even against teams like Bilbao in such a difficult ground as ‘La Catedral’, we were superior in throughout the first half. We’re not finalising the moves we create and that’s important. On that, we keep on working and we should have more luck when it comes to the time to score. You’ve got to be very self-critical and a game can’t just go in three minutes. It’s not a question of pressure, there are times when the ball just doesn’t go in and that’s happening to us in away matches.”
Match in Bilbao
“The team goes out with the same idea away or at home. The team likes to have the ball, create opportunities and it’s the philosophy the boss instils every day. Away from home, unfortunately, the result is negative, it’s a bit of an effort, and if you slip up they get three goals on you. Athletic are a great team and also you’ve got to give them credit, above all in set pieces. When you concede corners, they take advantage of them and they’re strong upfront and that’s what happened to us. But in the first half we could’ve gone half time with 0-2 or 0-3, it doesn’t matter, but they’re issues of the games and when you realise you’ve got a very complicated result.”
Exciting project
“I’m good, happy, and hoping that Málaga can develop as a team and that’s the intention of everyone in the organisation. It’s positive in terms of sport; of course, Málaga finds itself in a new situation and with the opportunity of developing in terms of sport, as important players arrived and so the Club and Málaga are fighting to be amongst the best. In this respect, people are happy and excited and so are the fans.”
