Maresca’s statements:
(Jaén match). “It would be best to keep going, the team is coming from a good patch, but it was a bit of an effort at the beginning because the summer stoppage was very long, now there’s another one and so we’re going to try and rest and focus on the next match. Yesterday if you got out without injuries you had a good game. The pitch wasn’t in the best state and the objective was to have a good practice session. It’s difficult for a Second B team to have a ground better than yesterday, and we only tried to play well and not get injured. Everyone worked well and the best thing about it was that no-one was injured.”
(Current situation). “Goals? The one the other day was important as it gave the team the opportunity of getting back to scoring. On a points level, let’s hope we carry on like that. There’ve been 13 points in six games, it’s halfway to Champions and we know that it’ll be difficult to carry on like that. We still don’t know how we’ll end the season, there are a lot of new players and we’ve all got to synch. My best moment? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I’m trying to do what the boss is asking of me and to be always prepared. Nobody gives you anything , I’ve got to work at it so the boss picks me whenever possible. Let’s hope I carry on like this. When you win three consecutive games it’s normal that a manager continues with the same lot. I’ve scored two games at homes, and it’s a real shame because they’ve been celebrated together: last year with Almeria they were celebrated separately – and I like to do those things when you take off your shirt, and punch the air and all those things. The goal wasn’t a great one, but it was important because it brought us back in the game and we drew, and then we were able to get the final result thanks to the good work of Julio Baptista.”
(European aim). “The winning mentality means that sometimes you’ll make mistakes that puts you behind. The other day we were drawn and then we had to play with ten men. But in the end, after a battle, we were able to win the match. The two giants of Spanish football are still the giants of Spanish football, and they’re still miles ahead. There’s no comparison between them and us, we can but try to get as close to their level as possible but the objective is to get as high as possible and in the first six games we’ve reached that objective.”
(Italian national squad). “I’d died for my national team, but I’ve got to be realistic and it’s not at the same level it once was in technicality or spark; things that once set it apart. One thing I can say is that Spain is ahead of any other country and outside of Spain, the Spanish national team is the envy of everyone right now.”