The frustration of defeat
“We don’t need to make excuses. It’s really frustrating to lose a match where we took the lead, the team was playing well, and we were in it. We made two mistakes, and in this league, you get punished for those. Once they went ahead, it became more about heart than head, and we couldn’t respond. It’s incredibly frustrating because of the effort we put in, but we’re now very clear about our goal. We need to understand who we are. These players, 80% of them, made us dream last year, and now we have to focus on unity, adapt, and realise that the small details that didn’t hurt us before are now costing us.”
Match details
“The attitude is non-negotiable. Football is about mistakes and knowing how to capitalise on them, and they took advantage of ours. The first half was enjoyable due to the intensity and approach of both teams. It was a game of endurance, and those mistakes cost us. Against teams with players of that calibre, you have to minimise errors. The first goal was a fantastic free-kick, and the second came from a second-phase play. We need to support the players, I take full responsibility. We knew these moments could come, and we’ve always managed to bounce back. The three points would have put us in a position to dream, but now it’s time for self-criticism, improvement, and ensuring every player reaches their best form while I focus on maximising their performance.”
Chupe’s minutes
“He came into a situation where we weren’t fluid. We lacked composure with the ball. We didn’t know how to find the spaces. However, his week has been very good, with excellent work.”
Close-knit group
“They are the ones who’ve brought us this far. We’ve earned a masterclass in resilience from last year. When you raise the level, people expect more, it’s normal. That excitement we’ve generated comes with criticism, and we have to embrace constructive criticism, stay humble, and not think we’re more than we are. We have to push ourselves. It’s not about what you achieve but what you truly deserve. We can’t change our identity. The players need to understand how quickly things can change, stay alert, and realise that the Primera RFEF is even tougher than this league. Common sense and maximum support for the team are essential.”