Pellicer: “We have to reflect and think about next season”

Sergio Pellicer, Málaga CF coach, held the last press conference of the 2022/23 season, following the match against UD Ibiza at La Rosaleda on matchday 42 of LaLiga SmartBank. “The situation generates a lot of suffering, and the fans express themselves. From Monday, we need to heal the wounds to start next year well. Reflect and think that next season will be very hard, even moreso with this division,” he initially said.

Regarding the chants in the stands during the game, “it’s very difficult to have that atmosphere, and you have to transmit that to engage these people, as now we are divided,” he highlighted. “When it was over, we went out to apologise. The fans are the ones who suffer the most, the employees and us. The players also suffer. We have to reflect,” Pellicer continued.

Regarding the future, the coach from Nules was clear: “On Monday or Tuesday we’ll start talking. It’s important to have a clear head and focus on the sport. The sporting professionals have to talk to determine the best path for Málaga, because what’s coming is very tough. We have to be prepared to return as soon as possible. The pain and discomfort are there now. But we all have to work, find the best players, the best communication and find the way to unite.”

Pellicer had several reserve team players in action against Ibiza. “I met with Funes. By position, Bilal entered without Delmás. Álex Calvo, Rafa and Jesús, who hasn’t entered because of the issue of the registrations. They are minutes that accumulate, indications that give us more of an idea,” he remarked.

Looking at the recent past, he recalled: “With nothing at stake on the last day, it means that we didn't finish well. In the last six games at La Rosaleda, today's is the only goal we have conceded. The first games punished us, yet from Las Palmas we showed that we are a team, and we tried our best.”

Finally, he looked to the future. “The Primera Federación is different from the old category. Now the competitive level is going up, this year you can see how the classification in playoff positions has gone. There is a lot of equality, the competition is very competitive and tough. You have to link a series of good results and be consistent to achieve the objective. You can’t afford three defeats in a row if you want to fight for first place,” he concluded.