“The defeat isn’t fair, but we must improve certain aspects”

Match review

“We started the match very evenly, and each team was going to have its moments. We had ours, but on a set piece, due to a lapse in concentration, they scored. In the second half, except for a brief period, the match was under control. We played more in the opponent’s half, except for the five minutes when a second-phase play developed because we didn’t track the player who was away. It was a very balanced match, and we had chances for Lobete, David Larrubia, and Rafa. We lacked the ability to interpret situations better and to stay a bit calmer; they competed better. In the key moments of decision-making, they executed better in two instances. It was difficult for us after conceding the goal, but we went back to playing in their half, and they defended well. We scored, and we didn’t drop our intensity, which is why I made changes at half-time. I wanted us to continue pressing high, and beyond the result, we managed to do that. In the end, it comes down to decisions. A set piece and a second-phase play where the player who was away didn’t follow, and they get behind us. Neither Cantero nor Alfonso had significant actions. It was a very balanced game and an unfair defeat. We have to do much more to get closer to where we want to be, and right now we are far from that.”

Specific mistakes

“I’ve been saying for a month now that concentration, attention, and focus are crucial, and that’s something you train. Goals always come from mistakes. Our goal, on the other hand, was a great action by Dani Lorenzo, there was no lack of attention from Burgos, it was purely our talent. To score, we need to execute very high-level, skilful actions, like we did against Granada, while the opponent can score with very little. One set piece where we’re distracted, and one play from the distant player. These situations are seen and practiced. You have to pay attention intentionally. We’re young players, and this is a learning process. We have to learn quickly because behind us, there are many people who are probably very upset today. We represent a great club and a lot of people. I know they’ll be very angry, and that’s why we have to pay triple the attention, and also try to see how we can improve certain aspects. We need to stay concentrated and focused on what we have to do. This leads us to make mistakes, even if the match isn’t brilliant, but it’s also not a game we deserved to lose. This has happened three times already in this way.”

Areas to improve on

“I’m concerned about the results and the actions we thought we could change compared to last year, and we’re not changing those moments. In Huesca, it went in the rival’s favour, and the same happened the other day. Today, you go ahead in a very even match and could have more space, but you don’t get the chance because of a lapse in concentration on a set piece. Not getting results affects attention and confidence. The responsibility lies with me, but we all have to take a step forward, the first being me, as I am ultimately responsible. We need to give confidence to the players, but we all have to give a bit more because what we’ve done so far isn’t enough for what we had planned. Right now, we need calm. We have to know how to manage defeats well. We need to be quiet, listen, swallow our frustration, and work on those small details that have made the difference in the last three results.”

Apologies to the Malaguistas

“Dani Lorenzo is a fully developed player. This week I told him he didn’t have a goal in him, and he scored. I say this to keep working with him, Dani has worked a lot in the number eight and six positions because he is a central midfielder who, if he improves defensively and in interceptions, has great footballing ability. In the goal, few central midfielders can carry the ball and break a line, especially through the middle, where you create much more damage. We can’t say anything to the fans, they are so incredible that we all have to take a step forward. Maximum respect, and I apologise for the result and for the situations in which we weren’t precise. We didn’t play a good match, but we certainly didn’t deserve to lose. Since we’ve been lacking attention in certain situations, we all need to step up. I want to thank them for everything and acknowledge all the frustration they feel.”