Pepe Mel spoke to the media after #IbizaMálaga, corresponding to LaLiga SmartBank matchday 20. “We played 70 good minutes, due to the context of the match and what was at stake. We attempted to impose our gameplay and we achieved it. We had Fran Villalba’s clear opportunity, then we got the goal and I believe we managed the game well. Ibiza’s equaliser threw us off course somewhat and the nerves set in. I cannot leave here unsatisfied with what the team has done, but I’m not satisfied with the point,” the coach commented.

The Malaguista manager was also asked about the part in the second half where the team was the most nervous. “The result weighed on us, what it entails. We couldn’t find the way forward during those minutes, although we rallied and were able to play well again,” he said from his point of view. “With three players on the inside we had superiority with the ball yet in those 15 minutes we didn’t know how to handle them. We tried to defend what we had, which wasn’t the idea. We wanted all three points,” he added.

Pepe Mel justified the change to the script of the game adapted to Ibiza’s necessity: “They’re playing at home and have the same at stake as we do. I had to attempt to reverse the result whichever way I could.”

Lastly, he explained that “the idea was to play with Febas, Villalba and Jozabed, and long with Chavarría if they pressured us upfront” and added it was a “shame” not having reached half-time “more than one goal in the lead.”