Changes
“We can’t say that the other players who were on the pitch were doing it wrong. It’s true that when things happen like we’ve seen today it’s very noticeable, and it appears as though the three substitutions revolutionised the team at an incredibly complex time. All three changes influenced the game, as well as the players’ and fans’ faith, and despite being 1-2 down and in such a tough situation, we will never see ourselves outside the First Division”.
Hard-fought victory
“We know there’ll be many matches like this throughout the season. Let’s hope they all go our way. I believe we played well, and had our moments of good gameplay. We advanced on the scoreboard in a game of strategy. The team did a lot of good things, but we are still in the dynamic of conceding goals easily. Each time we go wrong we let in a goal, and with an average of two goals conceded per game, it’s extremely difficult. Today we conceded from being too far back and from a counter-attack. We know it’s going to be like this for the whole season, and we’ll suffer a great deal to get out of the position we’re in. It’s also certain that with results like this one today, particularly with the sensation of the team never giving up, there’s still a long way to go to achieve what we’re all looking for”.
Sacrifice
“Today, for example, look where Chory Castro ended up playing, as a midfielder in search of a change of system to seek solutions. We continue playing with Adrián as an organiser, a defensive pivot, but as we’ve been saying; the players are adding to the good overall form of the team, and it looks as though victories, although they are costing us the same, are much closer to obtaining. It’s good that the team gets used to that”.
Competition within the squad
“When there’s competition we all improve, including the coach, who has more doubts when it comes to the line-up or making changes. When the team is adding players, even those to whom less things occur, and they suddenly appear, in a match like today, and say to the coach, “hello I’m here”. That’s good, it’s competition for them and very loyal competition for the coach too. What happened to Borja in this game today we all love, he scored a goal and had two or three situations. He fought, he had his chance, which he had to do to bring us joy. Not just for the goal, but everything he’s done for the team. It’s a good way to earn a place”.
Chory, great job
“Chory is incredible. He had the adductor almost in his ear, yet he continued working. He has great quality, it seems he gives the game and the team much more flight with the quality he has. We must respect his age to find him a place on the pitch. We can’t ask Chory to be the same he was five years ago, but the Chory of today is a great asset to the team. He scored a goal, which almost didn’t pass the line, which is because of his age, and the fact he did an excellent job. He’s been doing great in the last matches when he’s been in the starting line-up”.
Borja goal and collective victory
“I’m glad, whether it had been Borja or any member of the team who scored. Victory, as they perceive it when talking in the dressing room, is collective. Borja scored the goal, but everyone influenced the fact that it turned out that way. There’s also joy amongst the lads that it was Borja who scored as they knew he was suffering a lot. I mentioned it on one occasion in this press room. A goal-scorer, when he doesn’t score goals, struggles a great deal. A striker has an egotistical side, which is very good; the team’s result is very good, but they have to score a goal, and if it happens like it did here today, it’s a double joy. Goals are of course great, but in this team Borja has to work like he did in this match, as it helps us immensely”.
Change of image…good luck charm?
“No, with different images, long hair, short hair, we’ve lost. That’s not the reason. If it had been the case, I would have dressed the same as I did when we defeated Celta. I let my beard grow as I’m a grandfather and I want them to see me as such. If the beard means we’ll win a lot of games, I hope it grows down to my toes”.
Press conferences
“I think you ask what you want to ask, we answer how we want to answer and understand, generally speaking, what we want. But yes, a little lie I said. Look how my nose is growing, you’ll see all the lies I told today. Today I’ve told no lies, I don’t know if there are any questions left”.
Next rival, Real Madrid
“Madrid is a team that, despite being 10 points from the top spot, will not give away the game. They know the difficulty in coming from 10 points behind a team like Barça, but I don’t know any Real Madrid player or coach who would play to give a match away or relax in any way. They’ll do their job, which will be good, and we have to do ours. The points are the same for them as for us”.
