Many absences

“We always approach the matches regardless of the absences, as occurred last week against Leganés, where we had numerous players out of action and the team’s response was excellent.  We expect the same from this match, the players on the pitch have to perform as well as they did last week.  I have total and absolute confidence, knowing that we’re facing a tough rival, one of the favourites to take the top spot, with an excellent squad and who have been at an incredibly high level for a number of seasons.  Our obligation as professionals is to seek victory from every match, aware that each one will have different difficulties to overcome.”

Turning point

“Until we see how the match unfolds, we won’t know how the team’s doing.  The last match was a turning point, we had a clear victory and maintained a clean sheet.  I hope this has helped the team to gain sufficient confidence to affront the upcoming games.  We’re a squad that doesn’t score a lot of goals, and we’re gradually correcting the defensive errors.”

Atlético de Madrid

“Atlético have improved the quality of their players a great deal over the last two or three years.  Beforehand they focused on a much more direct, aggressive style of play, making the most of their strategy.  Now I think they’ve got players who have a very high technical level, who are considered the best in Europe.  A team that has twice reached the final of the Champions in the last three years speaks for itself.”