Málaga CF coach, Pepe Mel took part in a press conference before the LaLiga SmartBank matchday 10 fixture away at Butarque: “We’re at that point where it doesn't matter who we play against. We are driven by the standings and self-esteem. The match calendar says that we’re away to Leganés, a good team with very good players. However, I think we need to play our game, the one where we’ll score and give us the chance to win,” he said in relation to the team’s place in the rankings.
Pressure is rising due to the lack of positive results: “We need to be aware of the work we’re doing and the pressure it entails. What is work for us is a passion and a show for the fans, who want to enjoy watching their team win. This is an entity where there has already been a dismissal of a coach. We need to have the mentality that we’re part of a big club and Málaga need to react, particularly in regard to scoring, as I think the players have already done so. I’m satisfied with the two games we’ve played at home, I’ve seen many good things, and this team shouldn’t look down,” he commented.
Left-back Lumor has joined the squad on trial: “He’s a lad we know, he was at RCD Mallorca, we’ve heard good reports, but we need to see the condition he’s in. We can’t sign just to make the numbers up, we need to sign players who will compete for a position, making the starting-11 more difficult and who will help us. He’s arrived during a difficult week to assess him, he’ll be on trial for a couple of weeks and then we’ll make a decision,” he said.
With a more effective defence, it's time to improve the goalscoring aspect: “We have instilled in the lads the task of stopping the bleeding, making a tourniquet. We can’t concede an average of more than two goals per match as these are relegation figures. In three games we’ve conceded one, now it's time to fix that so we control the match for longer. For me it’s a problem of minutes. It didn’t go well for us in Santander and with Andorra it lasted until fatigue set it,” he explained.
The fans will get involved and accompany the team in Madrid: “The fact they’re already there sends a message to the coaching team and players. The fans are always there, and we need to live up to it. When they travel to see the team and likely have to work the next day, it makes you think. It makes the players and I think, and we have to make sure we make the grade,” he added.
