Málaga-Levante
“We have the experience of the first-leg match there, a spectacular game, full of goals and very open. We'll face a team with the DNA of their coach, Calero, who competes well and makes difficult things look easy. They handle different styles, especially transitions. It's going to be a great match. We're coming from an unusual situation, but football is about results. In front of our fans, we want to break this streak and win because I believe the team has been showing positive signs in recent games. We must stay brave and daring without changing a thing, just be more precise and know how to compete.”
High demand
“I think we've played very good matches. It's frustrating, but football is about mistakes, both individual and collective. If you improve the player, you improve the team. There's a highly demanding stretch ahead. We know the goal, and we want to be ambitious and take a step forward as soon as possible. We all need to prove, players and coach alike, that we can help Málaga. It's a challenge and a responsibility for everyone.”
Connection with the fans
“We need to raise the level of demand and take that step forward. In football, we live by results. I focus on emphasising the things we are doing well, luck needs to be earned, and that's what we have to work on. Our success last year and in the first half of this season has been the connection with the fans, and that can't be broken. They are the reason we reached professional football. Everyone, players, coaches, and the club, needs to step up. We cannot lose that connection with the stands.”
Transfer window and homegrown players
“I'm not upset, I understand all situations. Loren explained it well, he's a tireless worker, a noble and honest person who seeks what we all want, and in that regard, I'm fully behind him. What I want, and prefer, is a player who kisses the badge and genuinely feels it, rather than one who kisses it just for appearances. We have Chupete, Haitam... That connection with the sporting management is essential for finding the right profile, and when I saw it wasn't appearing, I realised I already have it at home. Hunger, enthusiasm, respect for the club, and maximum commitment. With the young players, we need to show that we can achieve great things, and that starts with the present.”
Haitam
“He completed a full week of training. We'll monitor his workload, but I’m fully backing Haitam because he truly wants to be a footballer. He's gone through a very tough process, and soon he'll be close to being called up. He invests in his mental health, physical condition, and has exceptional talent. I'd rather have Haitam than bring in someone else.”
Individual and collective improvement
“If we improve individually, we'll improve collectively. No one should get complacent or comfortable. We must seek that level of demand to keep moving forward because we want a bigger, stronger Málaga. We know who we are, and we've proven it in the first half of the season. I won't allow any distractions from anyone. The group is fully committed, we've overcome more critical situations than this one. We just need to keep working to the limit.”