Sensations

“The sensations have continued since we arrived here. Not so much in the results, but in training sessions and match preparation. I think the guys, with everything they do, deserve some joy, but at the same time, the rivals will do anything to stop this from happening. We have banished the words; drama, finals…Words that invite negative thinking. I ask the players; “What are the thoughts we should focus on”? To think that it’s a final? We need to play every match as if it were a final, regardless of the objective in play. Or should we think that winning this match would almost settle the situation”?

#SportingMálaga

“I think Sporting will have to play their last tricks. They need to win this match to be able to get in the salvation battle, although they are already part of it and fighting. Sporting are a team, like their fans, who always fight. They face complex and delicate situations every year, as they make a great deal of effort to be in the First Division. Tomorrow will be exactly the same, as it has been throughout history at El Molinón”.

Security

“Out of obligation, because I’ve just arrived, because that’s who I am and what I believe in, because I see the players and possibilities we have…I want to move away from all that. I don’t want to pressure myself any more than I already do to search for improvement in the team and to win matches. The players need to feel free, because the coach is usually the one who is wrong or inaccurate, but I want my players to get it right. The choice of players and the idea of gameplay we’ve decided on for tomorrow will bring so much calm and security to the players, that this confidence will translate into gameplay and victory. Then everyone will say the players are phenomenal. I certainly hope so”.

Juanpi

“We’ve been very delicate with Juanpi, but also maintained a lot of control over him. This injury he has, this groin strain is a very risky situation. Undoubtedly, Juanpi is a different player and at this point in the season, he can help us on the pitch. He can support and make the difference that we need. Juanpi is showing a level of commitment that perhaps few others would have shown under the same circumstances. He told me that he wanted to travel with everyone, even though he knew he might not be in the line-up. This type of player is the one that counts. Since I saw him despondent and shattered after the match against Alavés, the player hasn’t taken a step back, but has kept moving forward. I think he sets a good example for everyone”.