Pellicer: “We go to each ground with the idea of winning”

Cup opportunity

“The Cup allowed us to see players who are participating less, young players, so that the level of competitiveness increases. When we have a midweek Cup fixture, we have to control the physical issue very well, and even more so in the situation we’re in. The best news is that the competitive level of the squad is increasing, that’s good. Everyone is prepared and I have to make decisions. We’re very focused. Following the Cup win, the important thing now is the league. The Cup helps us to boost excitement, to resolve situations that we see on a daily basis, to gain momentum and see performance.”

Important match against a tough rival

“I said it a long time ago, this is a very important month and now we have two crucial games coming up. This is against an opponent who has already changed coaches several times, we know the coach, who was here for five years. I had the pleasure of working with him. He was one of the pillars, along with Manel Casanova, in terms of methodology and working with young players. He left a very important mark here.”

AD Mérida, a good rival

“We’ll be up against a team that has just won in the last minute, with that self-esteem boost and in an extreme situation. It’ll make things very difficult for us. Especially in their most recent games, they are a team that competes, even against Ibiza, who lost, they were at a very high level and came close to equalising. They’ve had their defeats, but this week they recover, except for a couple of players. My reference is their last games. Against Ibiza and Intercity they competed well and I think that little by little they are picking up the mechanisms of their coach. They are a practical team, knowing the tools they have, but they like to have possession of the ball and generate numerical superiority in the finishing zones. More direct play, second plays, being vertical on the outside... We’ve worked on all the plans. From there, we have to look at ourselves because we have to take that step forward. It's going to be a very difficult match.”

Last minute absences

“These problems arise and solutions must be found. We’ll try to find the best starting team, but we want to finish the game in the best possible way within our game plan. We’re going to try to get other players to step up and find the best solutions, as in all these months, which have been tough.”

Manel Casanova, another Malaguista

“I have a lot of admiration for him. When I arrived, he was in Juvenil 'A' and was the methodology coordinator, which was very innovative. It’s a continuous and mutual learning. He did a lot. With the help of Manel Casanova, may he rest in peace, they created an imprint and, from there, amazing work was carried out in the years he was there. He knows the entire coaching team because I think all or most of them have worked with him. He is another Malaguista, but he’ll be focused on his team competing in a special match. He is going to make things very difficult for us knowing how his teams work.”

Izan, Antoñito and Aaron in the squad list

“All three have earned their place to go to Mérida. The most important thing is the performance. We have to be calm, they are young boys. You see them training and they are ready, but we have to know how to manage them in terms of the coaching team, from the club and from their surroundings. It's a good first step, but they have a long way to go. They have earned it and are coming with us to Mérida. They may have the option to play if we deem it appropriate. We can’t rush it, we need to stay calm.”

Enjoying the pressure

“We have the pressure all year round. It’s true that we lost against Alcoyano, but we competed very well in Murcia and the other day we only missed the goal. We have to look at the general count and the points we have now. There are two or three teams that are very strong, but we’re on the right track and go to each ground with the idea of winning. We have to enjoy the pressure, that's why we are at Málaga. We have to be mentally strong and solely focus on the here and now.”

100 matches in the Malaguista dugout

“It's a dream. Behind all this there are many people who have been with me throughout this long process. I remember a lot of the people who are not there, the first day I arrived with Manel Casanova, all the club employees in all departments, all the sports directors I have had and, above all, my coaching team. Obviously, Manolo, who has always been by my side. I can leave out a lot of people, but they are all the ones who have been there.”