Racing, great rival
“The numbers are there, and so is what they bring. With José Alberto, they press intensely without the ball, they have players with a lot of energy, they press you in your own half, trying to provoke you with short possessions… and with the ball, they play very vertically, trying to link up in the final third to stretch the defence with the full backs. They maintain suffocating pressure, which forces the opponent to rush, and their plan is working perfectly. Along with us, they are the only team that has lost one match. But I trust the work of the boys in front of our fans. We’ll be activated, with the hope of getting three points that would make the draw in Zaragoza worthwhile. We also come into this game in good form.”

Courage and playing at home
“Today we worked on dealing with their high pressure, but we are sticking to our own plan. Their approach is clear, they are very suffocating, the best team at recovering the ball in the final third. We, on the other hand, are going to be brave. We are a wider team than they are, and we’ll look for the gaps that every opponent has. We’re very clear on our strategy, and we will keep working on it. This is all about the players. We’re at home, in front of our fans, and that gives us an extra boost.”

Spectacular match
“When you win a lot, or lose a lot, you're closer to the opposite. Their numbers are incredible, especially in this division. They’re more of an exception than the norm. But they lost a game, and it was against Cartagena. Our goal is to maintain our identity and be ourselves. I have confidence in the team, we need to show our best version, and for me, this match is just as important as if Cartagena were coming. These three points are crucial. They are the team to beat, and that’s the tough part, they’ve been winning and keeping that momentum, with optimal morale. But we also come into this game with great spirit. It’s going to be the most spectacular fixture of this matchday.”

Challenging schedule
“In 29 days, we have seven matches. There will be absences, suspensions, injuries… it's about collective feeling. Everyone needs to be ready. And to compete, that’s our hallmark. No matter who plays, we will always try to compete and win. Squads are built for this, and I know players are selfish and always want to play, but this week we may see more changes, and we have a lot at stake. The message for everyone is about collective feeling.”

Farewell to Rafa Nadal
“Few words are needed. Everything has already been said. He is a role model in every way, both professionally and personally. He conveys emotion, passion, and all human values. He is a unique example, and it’s very difficult to find another athlete like him. That passion and emotion will always endure. He is the greatest athlete for everything he has achieved, and all the recognition he gets is never enough. I wish him all the best, and hopefully, one day he will come and give us a talk, it would be something truly special.”