Pellicer: “We need to see what we saw in Murcia”

Current situation

“It’s been a normal week, almost complete. We had a rest on Monday after the away game and on Tuesday we started preparing for this match. We are the same as we were against Alcoyano and Murcia. We need the best version of the team that we saw in Murcia in a different context. We must continue improving and reinforcing the things we are doing well. We are hopeful and fully prepared for Saturday.”

Nelson Monte 

“It's football, it's a contact issue and we can't do anything. Beyond what it reflects on the field of play, it is what it represents. I have been greatly surprised by him, he reflects the values we want: humility and the ambition of a big club. He is the first to come to breakfast and training. He sets an example for all those who move up. I would like to praise him, he’s one of the greatest successes there is. We wish him a speedy recovery, he will have surgery on Saturday, I hope he’ll be back in less than eight weeks. Players from the youth teams who are with us will step up; this is the club's project, we are here to put them on the squad and show what they can do.”

A squad with solutions

“We are in a situation where opportunities appear as solutions. Day-to-day life is very important, players who are not participating can come in at any time. Opportunities emerge for everyone, solutions must be found without excuses. Recio, Moussa and Santaella have trained, Einar will be there. We have the possibility for variation. I can see the players are very aware of what they’re doing. It’s about the collective feeling above the individual.”

Maximum demand

“The team always trains with brutal intensity. After the Cup we reduced the load due to injuries which can distort the plan for the week. Little by little we will recover people and hope we don’t lose anyone else. We’ll be up against a team that has had a change of coach. The other day they went level in the last play and before that they lost in the last play against Recre. They are a team that proposes their gameplan, we have to take the ball away from them or press well in defence. All the rivals come to La Rosaleda to play the match of the season, and we have to understand it as a big club. We have to play to the limit, not just any situation will work for us and that is a good lesson.”

Keys to Saturday’s game

“Be organised in terms of pressure, on an attacking level we have to overcome the first line of pressure, be precise, change the mindset after loss and find the best version of ourselves. It will help us to improve in everything. The other day after the set piece, spaces appeared. We expect a rival to come for us, we have to see how to overcome the first line of pressure and be precise. We must manage every aspect of play and be the best we can be in all phases of the game. We have to focus on the things we have to improve on in front of our fans, recover the energy and what the team conveyed at the start of the season. A lot of verticality, moving forward, and when we lose the ball we swiftly reorganise. What we saw the other day in Murcia.”

Ramón 

“He’s been training with the group for two days, tomorrow we’ll see how he is. We must be careful with him. Tomorrow we will see how he gets on and if he can be called up. I count on him as an excellent player. May he recover the excitement of the child whose eyes shone at La virreina and when he debuted in Santander. We are going to be cautious, take each day at a time.”

Atlético Sanluqueño 

“They’re going to be demanding and focus on maintaining possession. They’ll attempt to take advantage of our desperation, take the ball away from us and make us nervous. We have to take the ball away and be organised in regard to the pressure. Despite the standings, they have good attacking mechanisms and are a dangerous side. We’re happy playing at our stadium, we instil our gameplan and the defenders are very exposed. We have to close the spaces quickly, using the experience of recent games.”