Rival with a new coach
“Everything in the past doesn’t count. We are judged by our latest performance. As for the new coach (Paunovic), we saw his time in Mexico and his structures both in attack and defence. His teams are intense and well-organised. I expect a very intense opponent. From the outside, we have a different perspective, so we have to focus on ourselves. We’re going to face a squad with a lot of quality, but we have to be ourselves in a stadium that has always been challenging for us. We need to compete by making the right decisions, manage the game wisely, and continue doing what we’ve done so far while taking a step forward away from home.”
Further analysis of Real Oviedo
“We need to analyse attacking and defensive situations, the rival’s strengths, and how to hurt them... The structures may change, but the players remain the same. We’ve seen Paunovic’s experiences with Tigres and Chivas, where his teams were very intense. They will try to light the fire, and we will try to put it out. We have the experience from Albacete, and they will come out with incredible intensity, with their fans creating new energy. We will go there looking for the win and be brave, just as we always have been.”
Final stretch of the season
“We are entering the decisive phase, the last 10 games. There is still a lot to be decided, and this is the most important moment of the season, for Málaga and for all teams. We shouldn’t focus on the result but on how we get there. Winning would be a very important step. We are going with great enthusiasm, ready to give our last drop of sweat and blood.”
On alert
“We always have to stay alert. Praise should make you stronger, and criticism should help you grow. We are in a great club with high demands, and every day you come to train, you have to give your best. I see the players doing well, but they are focused and on high alert.”
Homegrown players
“We are going to assess the situations. Every time the reserve team players come up, it brings me great joy. They compete and are making progress.”