Comeback

“Truth is there was little time left, but the team dominated play and approached the rival area.  The opportunities and goals took too long to arrive.  When you have such an intense dominance of play, you can always expect the goal to come at any time.  We were up against a strong team, who defended well with many players.  The opportunities weren’t clear, and although it was a major dominance, it was fruitless.  Definitively, when we scored the first goal, everything opened up and the team became somewhat free of tension, leading to the second, well-deserved goal.”

Madness in the final minutes

“When the team has a poor score, people get nervous, as do we, and the players.  Desperation comes into play, one wants to do well, but is unable to.  All this generates a cause for concern.  There was a total liberation amongst the fans and the players following the equaliser.  They went crazy and straight afterwards we scored the second goal.  With such little time left, and in the situation we were in, being slightly unstable in the rankings, it’s an immense joy for everyone.  I think the win was well-deserved.  In past matches we were unable to score and we subsequently lost.  This is a reward for all our suffering.”

Team game

“Going behind on the scoreboard so soon into play meant we were swimming against the current.  We were up against a team competing in Europe, a difficult and very competitive rival.  It’s true that the expulsion of Balenziaga was a determining factor.  I don’t know what happened as I couldn’t see from the bench.  It may have had to do with the final development.  In any event, it gave us wings to move forward with more faith.  We were forced to take many risks in the second half with the changes, in order to turn the result around.  Thanks to God it worked.  The team deserved a victory for their effort.”

Duda

“Duda is a player whom I’m not going to discover.  He’s been a professional for many years.  He played here with me before, and also during my time with Sevilla I used his services.  For me he’s a footballer of exceptional quality, but we all know what happens in football, years can pass in vain.  We must count on him when the time is right to help the team, and I think today the moment was perfect.  We had a great dominance, but were unable to find spaces.  When Duda came out, the team was more fluid in gameplay.  The victory goal is a reward for his hard work and effort.”

Llorente

“I decided to do without a central defender in order to put another striker on the pitch.  Things turned out well, but other times it’s not the case, and you can suffer a bigger defeat.  However, nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Current team game

“We’re improving.  The First Division is a very difficult competition.  Every match, whether won or lost, has been very hard-fought and a struggle.  We need to continue working hard and fighting to achieve victory, not just Málaga, any team.  I remember how Las Palmas and also Betis beat us, with agonising wins, even though we were so close to equalising in both games.  As happened today, Athletic were very close to taking home a positive result.  The First Division is a very tough competition for us all.”