Before the usual round of questions for the players, Loren Juarros wanted to welcome them to Málaga and wish them luck in this new stage of their careers. “Thank you for your enthusiasm from the outset to be Málaga CF players. Congratulations, you have reached a place where it’s worth being, with an important challenge ahead. You are going to participate in the possibility of taking Málaga where I think it deserves, based on day-to-day activities and without promising anything more than that. You are going to be very important players for this project, I hope for many years,” he said.
Juanpe commented that he has had “options to be in different clubs,” but “Loren's call made me very excited. For an Andalusian player, what Málaga CF represents, this club and this city… I didn't have to think about it. I came here incredibly determined, I’m very excited, and I think that I am going to be happy here to be able to give my best,” said the Cádiz-born midfielder.
Alfonso, who has already set foot in La Rosaleda, although as a rival, affirmed that “we all know this club and what it means. Although it is not the best moment for the club, I think it can be a great challenge. I was very keen and I had no doubts,” he added.
Jokin recalls that “since the opportunity to come here came about, Málaga has always been in our minds. As a challenge and as a club, no other team could match it,” he declared.
In addition, the players spoke about the competition and their first days of training under Pellicer's orders. Juanpe remarked that “to face the matches the most important thing is to compete. Keeping a clean sheet, being brave… We know it won't be easy, but we have a good group of very talented young people. If we put in the work, we can do it,” he explained.
In order to do this, as all three highlighted, the day to day is essential. Jokin discussed the team's first two and a half weeks of pre-season: “I was surprised by the intensity of the first days of training. It is said that you compete as you train, and the team is responding well to the workload. It’s a day-to-day process to achieve long-term goals.”
Lastly, before stepping onto the pitch at La Rosaleda wearing the Blue and White jersey, the players posed with their shirts. Alfonso will be number 1; Jokin, number 2; and Juanpe, number 8.
Good luck for your time in Málaga, guys!