Pellicer: “We need to maintain the joy”
The coach held a press conference at La Rosaleda two days before #AlbaceteBPMálaga. “If you think about what comes after, you go with the handbrake on,” he stated, noting that “there are 36 points left, and we are going to work on getting as many as possible.”
Upcoming match
“We need to have balance. We come from a painful defeat, but we must not forget what the team has been doing. It’s going to be a complicated, difficult match. Albacete comes from a defeat in Burgos, with a missed penalty, and they deserved much more. We expect a match with a very high level of focus, anticipating what’s going to happen. I see the group well, they are having a very good season. There are 36 points left, and we need to look forward, fighting for those 36 points, and our demand should be that. We need to bounce back from the loss and stay focused, with the same fighting spirit and commitment, to be more vertical and have more options from a technical-tactical perspective.”
Focused on work
“To focus and get results, you need to concentrate on the work and distance yourself from the outcome. I understand the people, we've seen Champions League here, Isco, Pellegrini... Together we are stronger. Everything that was created last year must continue. We need to be self-critical, but stay united in everything, be ambitious, and take the points.”
Process and project
“If we start looking at what others are doing, we're not prepared for important things. We are a Málaga team that has just arrived, I understand the people, but this is a process and a project. Many things are being done well. We need to focus on the technical-tactical aspects and on hurting the opponent.”
Memories of 23/24
“That moment, that week (San Fernando-Málaga), was one of the most difficult on a personal level. There were a lot of doubts about everything. What I don’t want is for us to lose the joy, and in the consequences of what happens afterwards if we lose. In Tarragona, two young guys didn’t think about those consequences, that’s the mentality. If you think about what comes after, you go with the handbrake on. It’s true that it’s been tough for us, but we can’t lose that carefree attitude of young people.”
36 points in play
“There are 36 points left. We are going to work hard and think that we can do the most we can. In the week of San Fernando, they wanted to sack the coach, we weren’t going to get promoted... and we did. Our performance will place us where we belong. Now we want the three points to keep moving forward.”
Albacete Balompié
“It’s a very well-worked team, solid defensively, and has improved in positional attack, with a lot of intensity. In Burgos the other day, it was a lack of concentration after 20 seconds that led to their defeat. They are a dangerous team in transitions, but if we continue with that level of work and become more vertical, active after losing possession, we have plenty of arguments to achieve victory. The important thing is to stick to our game plan from a technical-tactical perspective.”