Pellicer: “We’re going to compete tomorrow”

Sergio Pellicer appeared before the media in the last pre-match press conference of the season. Following the relegation confirmation last weekend at Mendizorroza, the coach stated he had experienced “the most difficult week,” although he knows it’s been the same “for everyone,” including “professionals, people from the club and fans.”

On the transition between relegation and the start of the new project for the following season, Pellicer is clear: unity and confidence in the future. “We’re going to compete tomorrow and from Monday, we need to try and heal this open wound. We need unity, to focus on the future, and start afresh. They have transmitted confidence and unity to me. The coach has to be the focus of that unity and I'm going to try my best. The most important thing is Málaga. I have the strength and enthusiasm to continue. The most important thing is that we are all together, the fans are saturated with suffering. We know what’s coming, we have to accept it,” explained the Malaguista coach.

Tomorrow's game, despite being “the least important,” will be faced with professionalism and responsibility: “We have to convey to the team the idea of competing, we have to continue. I'm going to select the line-up to win the game.” Following an entire week of training with a broad representation from The Academy within the first team dynamic, Pellicer stated that “some reserve team players will enter the squad list. Some have had a good season and deserve the reward. My idea is that they compete and try to win.”

Lastly, following the official presentation of Loren Juarros as Malaguista sporting director yesterday, where his work was praised and confidence in his figure as a coach was highlighted, Pellicer thanked him: “Loren is a football man, he’s been a top-level player and been part of a great team. He conveyed great enthusiasm and conviction to me, we all have to help him. He’s arrived with fresh ideas and will be the cornerstone to start building the team back up again.”

“He gave me enthusiasm and conviction. We all have to go hand in hand and let him do his job, as he has shown a lot of experience in a club that is a benchmark. He comes with this torrent of ideas and, above all, with a model that little by little he will have to implement. It’s a very difficult situation and we know how demanding it is when the season starts. This is about a homegrown, performance project. The idea is beautiful, now we have to act on it. We know that within the youth ranks there is an objective, to promote and look for talented players with a sense of belonging, but there is also performance. Not long ago this team was at the best level, we need everyone,” he concluded.