Statements from Maresca

(Match against Rayo): "The three points from last night’s match, as well as the point we took away from the Bernabeú, are crucial.  We’re having a great season at home, and we need to keep working hard to gain points in away matches”.
 
“It’s not the first match where we’ve started off at a disadvantage on the score board.  The most important thing is to show character, and turn the match around”.
 
“Rayo hasn’t been in the First Division long, so we were really surprised at their approach to the game, and how they really go for it on the pitch”.

(Team): "Like we did last year in this second round, we’re growing a lot as a team, and maintaining our philosophy, which is what the coach wants us to do”.
 
“Our aim is to take it step by step, match by match, and see where we end up in May.  We know we’re three points away from third place, tied in fourth, but we need to keep doing what we’re doing and see if we can finish in the first four”.

(Personal): "I went out there to concentrate on possession of the ball, like the coach instructed me to do, and fortunately I had the chance to score, which was also important for the team”.

(Espanyol): "It’s always important to have an advantage on points over our rivals. But we’re going there to play our game, with our team philosophy, and try to bring three points home”.