An attractive duel
“We’re up against the team at the top of the group, demonstrating that they’re favourites. Now the second round is getting underway. It’s an important match where we’re facing a rival who we caused trouble for at their stadium. We have to be ourselves, have confidence, we haven’t started out well in the last two league games, which is something we have to work on. We have room for improvement, this will be a high-octane match. I have full confidence in all my players, we are going to compete. It's going to be a game of back-and-forth due to the way the rival plays as well as us in the last few games.”
More than three points
“This is a match which is about more than three points. There is the goal average, it’s not a final as there are 18 games after this one, but it is a standout match. We have lost the same games whereas they have been more consistent in victories. They beat us very fairly. It’s an important match, but no matter what happens there will be 18 games remaining. We are going to generate a lot of excitement if we win, we are optimistic and must manage our emotions. If a result happens that we do not expect, we need to keep moving forward for the remaining 18 matches. The rival is beating all the stats in this category.”
CD Castellón, a tough rival
“Castellón have a very clear idea of going up, they are strong on the attack, but sometimes they play with five defenders. They always push forward, create a lot of chaos in the game. We saw it there, we’re focusing on getting back to where we were in Algeciras, where we played the best first half of the season. We have to structure ourselves well after loss. Castellón make the most fouls in the category, we are 12th. We have to be aggressive with and without the ball.”
A big motivation
“These weeks are the easiest between two historic teams. The biggest boost is motivation, because we have our people who are supporting us. We have worked at a group level, we have to restructure ourselves and remember the positive things from when we were solid in every aspect of play. The Cup has distracted us all, but that’s gone now. We have a chance to be the best team in the second round, it’s our goal and a challenge. We have to fight for it.”
Two attacking teams
“At home and away we are a team that pushes upfront. We are one of those that recovers the most in the high block. We are two teams that are going to push upfront, we have to manage different structures. The rival, due to their energy, are always threatening. It's going to be a game of goals, with many chances. We have to manage emotions. I don't think it will be a 0-0 game, but one with many alternatives. The key is being the team that is most effective.”
Message to fans
“More and more fans are coming, more and more children are coming. The enthusiasm is massive, we are the ones who have to give it. Of course they were disappointed the other day, we have a great sentimental power towards our people. It’s a match that could be labelled a playoff, with an electric atmosphere, against a high-level rival like us. We have to seek victory to be ambitious and fight to the max.”
