As usual in all league games, the Madrid-born coach headed to the Juan Cortés press room to speak to the media ahead of tomorrow's #MálagaPonferradina clash.

Pepe Mel sent a very clear message: “It's a match we need to win to close the gap.” Despite there being a new coach on the visiting team's bench, the Blue and White manager insisted on the need to “focus on ourselves and on what we’ve been doing during the week.”

Given the current situation in the standings, Pepe stressed that “all matches are of utmost importance” and “our situation means that we can’t look right or left. Although we’re in the month of November, it’s a final for us,” he added.

In regard to the team’s absences, he commented: “All week Luis has been suffering with vomiting and diarrhoea. However, the good thing is it hasn't spread throughout the group. Javi is suspended from this match and Alfred and Gallar aren’t ready. The rest are all available.” Apart from the absences, Pepe stated that “it won’t be easy” because David's teams play “very close together” and they’re going to play “a very long game.”