Excitement
“We’ve done everything. We tried to do some recovery training, as well as maintaining physical momentum for the players. The team has worked hard from a tactical level, and also with the ideas we want to develop, beyond the alignment or system we choose. I think when the players show that they really want something, which they have done over the past 10 days, we see some very good things for us, and very exciting. As such, as the players have wanted to, and taken responsibility for the situation, we’re excited about tomorrow’s game”.
Positive responsibility
“There are two ways to take responsibility. One, is that the responsibility takes hold of you; and the other is the responsibility is assumed by the players, from saying ‘yes we want to, and have the possibility of doing so’. That’s what we’ve seen over the past 10 days. It’s almost been like a pre-season in terms of concepts and things we’ve tried to develop”.
Atlético de Madrid
“We have to face Atlético de Madrid, a rival who will demand the maximum from us. Way beyond football, they will also be demanding mentally. They are a team who knows what to do, regardless of who they playing against, and they wait for their moment. This is something we have to manage. We’re talking about a team that shows no mercy with a lack of concentration and disorder from the opposing team”.
Fans
“The Málaga fans know perfectly well what they want, and where they want their team to be. Each match represents a clean slate as they want their team to win. It will be the same tomorrow. I don’t think there’s ever a minute of discouragement from the fans”.
Positive and realistic
“When I decided to come to Málaga, it wasn’t about looking at the match calendar, but focusing on next year. I’m a positive person, but I’m also realistic. Many people talk about the upcoming schedule, but I don’t believe we should be anxious about the demanding week ahead. What excites me is working this week and seeing the results. When the players show that they really want something, the coach stays in the background. If we do this in tomorrow’s game, we’ll be far more reliable”.
