Oviedo - Málaga
"A tremendously competitive match, between two teams in a very similar situation in the standings. Being able to leave a rival behind in the table, to distance yourself, not just in points but also goal average, is very important. The competition is incredibly tight and we’ve prepared well, in addition, with the reference of the match recently at La Rosaleda, we must compete in this type of game with great intensity and many second actions. Oviedo have very direct play and create good situations on the wing to generate crosses with a specialist forward (Ortuño) who has showed his scoring ability. As always, we must make the most of our strengths and create good opportunities to be effective and take advantage of them”.
Review of first 21 matches
" We are the team that runs the most distance, with the highest intensity. It’s a very important statistic relating to the players’ effort, it’s indisputable, and we’re grateful for their effort match after match, shown with this physical data leading the metres, total distances, high intensity. In defence, we are among the teams with the best performance, and in attack the main analysis is the need to improve our finishing. We’re among the best teams at the top of the table in regard to ball possession, generating occasions, number of shots per game…but we are the worst in terms of finishing. We all know that the goal is the most important thing about this beautiful game. Without goals you cannot win”.
Winter transfer market
"I’m responsible for the sporting aspect. We need to reinforce the team during the January transfer window. Our rivals are reinforcing their teams and can use new players from the first match of the second round, whereas we aren’t. What we can do is prepare well for the match against Oviedo, the following one against Ponferradina, and continue to compete despite all the difficulties. We have a commitment to these players and the fans to fight until the end. We said it in summer and will continue to do so”.
