All available players are travelling
“We are travelling with everyone except Einar and Haitam. We have the absence of Luismi due to an accumulation of yellow cards, but the others have recovered well. Now we have two very demanding matches ahead, but we are focusing on the immediate game. Between Wednesday and Sunday, there will be changes, though I’m not sure how many. Due to the demanding nature of the matches and what the opponents will present, the depth of the squad will come into play. This is a very important moment, as many points are at stake. After the last two games, with good feelings, the points haven't matched what the team has shown.”
Feelings are important but we need to add points
“In these two matches, we've earned two points. It's true that we have good feelings, the team is transmitting very positive things. It's not logical that we've kept six clean sheets, nor that we've only scored two goals in the last six matches. We need to continue with the solidity we've shown. We should have gotten at least one more win with everything we've generated. The best is yet to come. Small details can change the score from 1-0 to 1-1. We need to keep up the work we're doing, but with caution. Respect takes a long time to earn and little time to lose. We need to keep improving.”
Forced break for Levante
“After what has happened... They have experienced it very closely. In football, the most important thing is the players and their mentality. They’ve entered the competition well, I expected it to be much worse. I put myself in their shoes, and it's incredibly difficult. It's a well-coached, very cohesive team, and I expect a good match. It’s a team built to be at the top. Both of us have that extra match to play, and we’re going for the win. We need to stay alert because they’ve come back stronger than I expected after the tragedy they've gone through.”
Emotional intensity of a big game
“The other day we saw it in the Valencia-Betis match. Despite the changes in habits, that energy that is generated... I expect a Levante team with a lot of depth, with full-backs who push forward, wingers who drift inside, and a team that plays with height. At home, they want to be the protagonists... We want to be ourselves, to look for superiority where we believe we can hurt them. It’s going to be a high-level match. They haven’t lost at home, and we haven’t lost away. We want to achieve our first away win.”
Luismi’s absence
“We don't have a defined profile. We have very different profiles, which gives us many alternatives. There has been recovery work, and some players have had more intense sessions. We play Wednesday, Sunday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Sunday. This will shape us before Christmas. We need to maintain continuity. The other day, I really liked what I saw from the team. There are certain players who are making tremendous efforts, and we will look for solutions.”
Mini ‘stage’ in Valencia
“With much excitement and responsibility. Tomorrow we have the match, and we will train at El Saler. We’ll have three sessions before playing against Castellón. It’s a week full of emotions. Every match takes us to the limit. The other day, we all left very happy, but with the frustration of not getting the three points. This is about winning.”
Ramón, at 100%
“Ramón is ready. If he doesn't play, it's a technical decision. I think we’ll see him soon. If not this week, then it will be another. Ramón is at 100%, he's one of us. He has taken a step forward. He’s suffered a lot, there is no more fear.”
Decisive stretch
“Before Christmas, there are many points at stake. All teams will see where they stand. We will have completed the first half of the season, and everyone will know where they are. It's very important to recover players. There will be suspensions and injuries. I always focus on the immediate, but I also keep an eye on the management and what’s coming. It will be good for us to be away these days.”
