Kevin Medina’s expulsion
“It's a situation that greatly influences the course of the match because up until that moment, even in the first half with 11 against 11 and then with 11 against 10, I think we saw a good Málaga. A team that went for the win, except in the first few minutes. Then, it's true that the opponent, Zaragoza, who has a great team, reorganised and in the second half, we had to fight, stay very organised, and try to look for situations in transition or set pieces, focusing especially on that final pass.”
“As I said, there were two very different halves in terms of the initial approach to the game, and then, when the plan changed, we had to make adjustments. Despite everything, we showed ourselves to be an organised team with identity, facing a great opponent.”
Changes in the game plan
“Our game plan was clear in the first half. We knew that the rival, with the positioning of Aguado and Aketxe, could create an overload, but we had clear attacking structures in place, looking for width with Jokin and Kevin, and with Roko holding off the centre-backs to create space for David. Then the change came. In the end, I think we adapted well to all the situations the match presented. It was a test, and even though the opponent in the second half tried to create danger with crosses and shots from outside the box, they encountered a very organised team. Also, we have Alfonso for these situations.”
“However, we lacked a bit more depth and the ability to hurt the opponent. If you manage to cause them trouble, their fears start to emerge, and that's where we could have done more. Despite everything, I believe we played a very complete match, given the circumstances and the context we were in.”
Staying calm
“The important thing in these situations is to change the game plan, find solutions, and convey calm to the players. In these moments of numerical disadvantage, the collective spirit easily comes to the forefront.”
Match review
“I am proud of the commitment, the seriousness, and the organisation. I believe the team knew how to suffer, and that is a hallmark of our identity. It would have been a much more open game with 11 against 11, with many more chances for both teams. We are conveying that sense of belonging and dedication.”