The rival – AD Ceuta
“This is a very important match due to how the rival is doing. They are the second-best team in the second round along with us, behind Córdoba. They have great energy and away from home they lose the least possession. We know their state of form and we have to be ourselves, stay focused. I have a lot of confidence in my group of players. Despite the last two games, we are on a very positive streak after the Melilla game. I’m confident in my team, but it’s going to be a tough and difficult game, against a strong opponent who is going to be on top. If we win, we would get a great percentage to be in a position to look the other way.”
Analysis of first round match
“Yesterday I went back to review the game again. The first half counted for us, the team reacted, and we lost the game in two transitions. From 1-3 we went to 3-2. It was the last game of the first round, and it alerts us to the situations we experienced there. They are in great shape in terms of play and results, but I trust my boys a lot.”
Confidence in the group
“We have to be on constant alert. We achieved five victories and we know what it costs. They are doing things very well, very few teams have achieved this against powerful rivals. We have to focus on ourselves, we represent many people. In the second half the team gave their all, but we cannot give away 45 minutes of attention. I have a lot of confidence in this group of players, we know that the opponent has been scoring for nine games. We have to be very supportive on a defensive level and step up the attack. This is a very physical team, they seek to attract you and make spaces appear. We’re playing at home, I trust the group of players a great deal. They have earned the right to be competing for the maximum and now the moment of truth arrives. Each time we’re getting closer to the end. We must be ourselves and trust our players.”
120th anniversary of an inexplicable feeling
“We’re in Málaga, we have been playing these types of games for a long time. It was a wonderful event, we have a beautiful, commemorative shirt, with a feeling of everything we represent. There are more Malaguista children than when we were in the First Division, and we have to honour this with hard work so that our fans can enjoy a victory.”
Decisive part of the season
“Now is a flashing light moment for everyone. Achieving victory means going green, losing in yellow and two defeats in red. After this game there will be seven left, that’s where we are. We have been playing key games from the outset, it seemed like the world was ending and look where we are. I would like to be closer to first place, but it’s tough and we could be further down. This is a crucial game as the traffic light is going to turn green for us and we will continue watching. At the end of the season, a lot of things happen for all the teams, we have to reach those five games fighting for any situation. Sunday is a very important day.”